ACC warns prison officers in Bo
The Southern Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Wednesday 31st July, 2013 warned officers of the prisons department against corrupt acts in a meeting with Prison Officers at the Prison regional office in Bo. The meeting was called by the ACC as result of various concerns raised by the general public on the state of affairs at the Bo prison.
Addressing over 50 officers, the ACC Regional Manager disclosed that his office has been receiving reports of corrupt practices at the prisons. He said amongst the concerns are allegations of misappropriation of prisoner’s diet, improper utilization of budget allocation and procurement anomalies. The manager said that while such reports remain as allegations for now, the officers should take all necessary steps to discourage their occurrence. He explained he various offences under the ACC Act 2008 and stressed that they will investigate all forms of corruption, no matter the amount of money or individuals involved. He advice all to be mindful of their actions and disclosed that any act of corruption is punishable with a fine of not less than Thirty (30) Million Leones or imprisonment for not less than three (3) years or both fine and prison term.
Prison officers look on as ACC talks tough
Mr. Marah also took time to sensitize the gathering on activities of the Commission. He explained the three-pronged approach used by the Commission in the fight against corruption (public education, systems & processes review-prevention and enforcement or prosecution). Mr. Marah mentioned about the GAVI – Ministry of Health matter, the 2011 Audit Report, the current police & traffic warden indictment for bribery and some school authorities for extorting monies from parents and pupils for report cards. The Manager also encouraged the officers to reject, resist and report corruption. He assured them that whistle blowers will be protected.
Making his statement, the District Coordinator for Bo District, Mr. Anthony Samu allayed the fears of the officers, saying that the ACC is not at the Prisons office for indictment, but to guide them against falling foul of the law. He intimated the importance of Prisons Department as a correctional centre for rehabilitation and reformation of crime related convicts. The meeting he stated was also one of a series of sensitization meetings normally conducted by the Commission for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). He appealed to all not to see the ACC as an enemy but should be embraced by all and sundry as a dependable institution which partners with MDAs like the Prisons Department in the fight against corruption. He informed participants that the meeting will also give opportunity to all the Officers present to air their views and ask questions on issues they are not clear about on the work of the Commission.
The Prisons Regional Director- South, Mr. Charles Lamin Ngobeh who chaired the meeting expressed his appreciation for the visit of the ACC to his institution. He said that such an important meeting is an opportunity for them as member of the sister forces to share their concerns and jointly map out ways in supporting each other in the fight against corruption. . He commended the ACC for such an approach and assured the ACC of his commitment to tackling corruption and other malpractices in the department. He emphasized the importance of the commission in the development of Sierra Leone nothing the challenges of the prison department of Bo. He expressed dissatisfaction over huge disparity in allocation of resources among the prison, police and military. He also talked about the poor conditions of service and the delays in provision of Government subventions. According to Director Ngobeh, the prison is lacking rehabilitation facilities for prisoners.
There was an interactive questions and answers session where it was revealed that procurement of diet is centralized in Freetown, allocation is yet to be received and that officers don’t go on leave due challenges in accessing and processing leave forms as it remains centralized.
As a way forward, it was agreed that the ACC should witness diet supplies and that further engagements should be done. The vote of thanks was given by Female Prison Officer, Josephine Lahai.
Anthony B. Samu , District Coordinator – ACC Bo District
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