Prison officer warns parents

As part of his contribution to President Koroma’s war against the prevalence of bad morals of citizens, especially among the youthful population, the officer in charge Kono District Prisons, Mr. T. Conteh on Friday March 17, 2012 sent a stern warning to parents around the country to improve on their supervisory role over the current appalling behaviour of their children and wards.  (Photo:  Programme Manager Ishmeal Cole talking to the Prison Officers)

The Prison Officer made this warning while hosting the Attitudinal and Behavioural (ABC) Secretariat executives sensitizing him and juniors prison personnel on the ‘ABC Concept’ and ‘The Importance of Political Tolerance to National Development’.

Mr. T. Conteh seized the opportunity to inform that youths form a larger percentage of those behind bars in various prisons in Sierra Leone and blamed the ineptitude of parents to properly nurture their children for this sad situation.

According to him although prisons have transformed into correction centers that empower inmates to meaningfully fit into societies after serving jail terms, he bemoaned how the country is losing by having a cross section of its viable human resource unable to meaningfully contribute to national development.

He disclosed that most of the youthful prisoners find it hard to come to terms with counseling services aimed at changing their mindset as a result of their mental impairments from drug addiction, prostitution, and adoption of other foreign cultures like gay and lesbian styles of life.

The Prison Officer maintained that most of the young prisoners have repulsive tattoos and piercings over their bodies which he said characterizes outlaws. In his view most parents are misconstruing child-right laws for leaving children to rear themselves in their preferred ways. This he said is worrisome as the children who are relied upon to be future leaders are lacking the attributes that will capacitate to offer these expectations.

Mr. T. Conteh commended President Koroma for making the issue of changing the bad attitudes and behaviours of his compatriots as a major concern. He called on the current ABC Secretariat’s executives to be resilient despite the herculean nature of their assignment in making President Koroma’s dream of establishing an ethically oriented society comes into reality.

The Executive Director of ABC Secretariat, Dr. Ivan Ajibola Thomas pleaded with the officers attached to the Kono District Prisons to exercise the respect for human rights while serving the prisoners because according to him  most of those incarcerated are innocent for the crimes the law have found them wanting of.

In creating the awareness of prison personnel on the ABC Concept, the National Coordinator and Second-in-Command of ABC Secretariat, Madam Nanette Thomas informed in as alleged bad morals have landed law breakers behind bars, prison officers must put up positive attitudes and behaviours while dispensing their services to transform the lives of the prisoners. Madam Thomas who disclosed that Dr. Thomas and herself are former political prisoners called on the officers to be providing palatable diets and sanitary environments for the inmates.

Making a point the Programme Manager of ABC Secretariat, Mr. Ishmeal Cole warned against sexual harassment of female inmates and observed that the Kono District prison lacks the facilities that can provide the female prisons maximum protection.

The Eastern Region Coordinator of ABC Secretariat, Mr. Arnold Kaima emphasized the warning of the Mr. T. Conteh to parents. He promised to work with parents and other stake holders especially religious leaders within the Kono District to ensure that the susceptible children receive the correct upbringings.

By Momoja Lappia

DAY 3: MARCH I6TH, 2012   

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