One hundred and fifteen (115) inmates presently at the Moyamba Correctional Facility have expressed their appreciation to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the leadership of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone for what they described as a “timely intervention” to their plight through the Prison Court initiative.
Speaking to the inmates the Public Relations Officer and Official Spokesperson of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Moses Lamin Kamara assured them of free, fair and timely justice delivery from a team comprising a Judge of the High Court, one State Counsel, one Defence Counsel and senior members of the administrative wing of the Judiciary.
He revealed that the team has a clear mandate given to them by the Hon. Chief Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke among which is for the judge to ascertain and review the convictions of inmates convicted by the Magistrate’s Court – whether the Magistrate exceeded his / her sentencing powers, prolonged adjournments, inmates awaiting trial but without indictments, the granting and variation of bail conditions, among others.
Outlining some of the key benefits of the Prison Courts, Mr. Kamara said the Court will address the problem of overcrowding by ensuring that cases are expeditiously tried, as the Moyamba Prison was built for sixty-five (65) inmates but currently hosts one hundred and eighteen (118) inmates.
“One of the main aims of the Prison Court is to ensure that cases are speedily tried thereby resulting in the reduction of inmates at the Centre and expenditure on Government directed to inmates”. Mr. Kamara said.
In his response, the Senior Yard Probo (SYP) said they are happy that the Court is being held in the Moyamba Correctional Facility after several years. He said the last time a judge held Prison Court in Moyamba was when the Acting Chief Justice then a Justice of the Supreme Court came and released some inmates and granted bail to others.
“We are very hopeful that what happened during the last Prison Court will be repeated this time too, said SYP.
For more inquiries, contact the Judiciary Communications on +23278244739/+23234617548/+23279101086 or visit our website on www.judiciary.gov.sl