By Mariama Benovia Davies
The Sierra Leone Correctional Service is strengthening its rehabilitation and reintegration programmes through education, vocational training and partnerships with higher learning institutions, as part of efforts to ensure that persons in custody are better prepared to return to society as productive and responsible citizens. Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Joseph J. Senessie, made this disclosure during the Government of Sierra Leone’s Weekly Press Conference held on Tuesday, 1st September 2026, at the Miatta Civic Centre. The conference, hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, focused on the theme: “Fire Force, Correctional Service and the Police: What Is Being Done to Improve Citizens’ Experiences?”
Mr. Senessie explained that the transformation from the former prison system to a correctional service in 2014 represented a significant shift towards a system that places greater emphasis on custody, rehabilitation and reintegration. He noted that while the Service has the responsibility to protect society and maintain safe, secure and humane correctional environments, it also has a duty to help individuals in custody address the factors that contributed to their offending, and prepare them for responsible lives after their release.
A key area highlighted by the Director General was the growing importance of education within correctional facilities. He said the Service is interested in strengthening collaboration with universities and other educational institutions to create meaningful learning opportunities for persons in custody. Among the institutions specifically mentioned was the University of Sierra Leone, as well as the University of Makeni, with discussions centred on how such partnerships could provide opportunities for individuals in custody to pursue formal education and obtain recognised academic qualifications while serving their sentences.
Mr. Senessie emphasised that the university discussions are particularly important because some individuals may spend many years in correctional custody. He noted that persons who remain in custody for extended periods should not be deprived of opportunities to learn, develop their abilities and acquire qualifications that can improve their prospects after release. He explained that the Service is therefore exploring ways to deepen engagement with universities so that education can become a more structured and meaningful part of rehabilitation, including the possibility of enabling eligible persons in custody to pursue programmes leading to recognised certificates.
The Director General further stressed that academic education must be complemented by practical skills development. According to him, the Correctional Service wants persons in custody to leave its facilities with skills that can help them establish livelihoods and become self- reliant. He explained that vocational and practical training can provide individuals with the ability to earn an income, support their families and contribute positively to their communities. This approach, he said, is consistent with the Service’s broader objective of ensuring that individuals return to society with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to rebuild their lives.
Mr. Senessie also highlighted the importance of welfare, human rights and humane treatment throughout the correctional process. He said the Service remains committed to respecting the fundamental rights of persons in custody, while ensuring safe and secure conditions for both those in custody and correctional officers. He further referenced engagement with human rights organisations, prison monitoring groups and advocates as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and oversight within correctional facilities.
Another important area of reform, he said, is improving access to justice and addressing overcrowding through more effective systems and the use of modern technology. Mr. Senessie pointed to the importance of electronic information management and the potential application of artificial intelligence and other digital tools to improve the management of records. He said the Service is working towards systems that can make important information more accessible and organised, while also indicating that a consultant would be engaged to support the development and improvement of these systems.
Mr. Senessie reaffirmed that the ultimate objective of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service is to ensure that every person in its custody has the opportunity to return to society as a useful, productive and peaceful citizen. He said continued collaboration with universities such as the University of Sierra Leone and the University of Makeni (Unimak) alongside education, vocational training, welfare, human rights protection and modern correctional management, can significantly strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration. He further noted the value of learning from the experiences of countries such as Kenya, demonstrating the Service’s commitment to adopting effective practices and building a modern correctional system that protects society while giving individuals a genuine opportunity for a positive second chance.