Lock up officers comment on crime rate

Lock up officers attached at the Sierra Leone Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 10^th February spoke on the increasing crime rate in the country, mostly describing it as alarming.

Speaking to Sierra Express Media at the law court, Sergeant 4802 Mansaray of the Sierra Leone Police revealed to this press that since 2010 started, the lock up at the court is has been experiencing a remarkable increase of inmates which according to him speaks of the fact that there is the obvious increase in crime rate in Freetown and its environs.

The police officer mentioned areas where much of the suspects are been charged for which he said includes loitering, unlawful possession of cannabis sativa which has now become an alarming issue to the entire justice system in the country. Sergeant Mansaray explained that even though the Sierra Leone Police is making tremendous effort in combating the increased crime rate in the early part of this year, the jails continue to be flooded with suspects that are daily been nabbed for one crime or the other. 

Commenting on their duty as lock-up officers, Mansaray said “it our duty to present accused person in court when the magistrates and judges request for them”. Sergeant Mansaray disclosed that male officers are placed in charge of male suspects that are sent from the various police divisions in the western area.

Sergeant 3921 Jackson senior female lock up officer in the Sierra Leone Police also explained their ordeals as female officers attached at the Law court particularly at the lock up where male and female suspects are kept in a crowded manner. She said “it is a big risk we are undergoing out here in such a mixed up of affairs with inmates”. Sergeant Jackson informed this press however that efforts have been made to separate male from female suspects which she said is an ideal practice.

On areas of constraints, she mentioned poor toilet facility inhibiting against the security and safety of the inmates as they would take chances whenever they are taken elsewhere to ease themselves; using the opportunity to call on the authorities to address the issue.

Talking to Officer in Charge of Escort Unit Chief Officer Class II Sampha Sesay of the Sierra Leone Prisons, he thanked the efforts of the Prison Authority for improving on the escort means for Prisoners from the Pademba Road Maximum Prison to the Law Court admitting that much has been done to improve the situation as compared to what it used to be two years ago. The Chief Officer also thanked God for protecting them and giving them the will and wisdom to carry out their duty. The O/C Sampha also includes the effort that his colleagues are he said “without them such clean record of prison escort service that has been provided in the last three years would not have been achieved.

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