Sierra Leone News: Efforts to tackle recurring criminal behavior

Business

As part of its bid to transforming thinking and behavior by building a just and inclusive society, Life-by-Design and the Sierra Leone Correctional Services have launched a project to address recidivism in Sierra Leone by reforming, rehabilitating and reintegrating inmates of the correctional centers. Speaking on the significance of the project, the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS), Joe Lamboi shared the work they have undertaken in trying to rebrand the facility. He gave a brief background on the reform they as a government institution have embarked on; starting with a visit to Colorado in the USA where they were opportune to learn on service delivery and professionalism. Eleven of them were also sent to Kenya to get firsthand experience and about 300 inmates were trained in various vocational skills. However, some of the plans in the review that they agreed on is yet to commence; such as the procurement of tools for the Mafanta Prisons, albeit funds provided for provisions of clinics, improvement of the water and sanitation in the correctional center facilities. The Executive Chairman of A Call To Business (ACTB) and the Chief Executive Officer of Life-by-Design, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach in ensuring that the project succeeds. Touching on the need for a complete system that provides processes and answers, he implores the justice sector to continue to support in those areas of reparation and rehabilitation. He emphasized the need for correctional officers to be sensitive to the needs of the inmates and urged them to see the good in them always. For his part, the representative from the justice sector (JSCO), Max Katta, said this is a “home grown solutions to home grown problems”. He thinks it is a cheaper and more efficient way to go about it. The UNDP Governance Project Lead, Walter Neba, expressed delight in working with SLCS and Life-by-Design in this initiative. He added that this would open doors for more opportunities in the justice sector. Over the next few months, the ‘ending recidivism’ project will see the training of 30 social workers at SLCS and 30 industry workers who will help the inmates reform their criminal mindsets and develop employable skills that will ensure they do not return to prison cells after their release. The project is funded by the US Embassy and INL through the United Nations Development Programme. OG/14/5/18 By Ophaniel Gooding Tuesday May 15, 2018.

Fill the forms below to register

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.