By Joseph Momoh D.S
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has uncovered 496 cases of alleged unlawful detention at the Freetown Male and Female Correctional Centres.
In a letter dated Thursday, October 29, 2026, addressed to the Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, CHRDI demanded a full list of inmates currently held at both facilities.
The organisation said its monitoring exercise conducted on October 14, 2026, identified inmates held under conditions that violate the Constitution and other laws of Sierra Leone.
According to CHRDI, the violations include inmates detained for more than 72 hours without indictment, those held on expired remand warrants, persons detained without any warrant, and individuals who have spent over 12 months on remand without being indicted by the High Court.
CHRDI said the detentions contravene Sections 17 and 23 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which guarantee personal liberty and protection of the law.
The rights group said it is preparing to file writs of habeas corpus to secure the release of those unlawfully detained. Habeas corpus is a legal remedy that allows a court to examine the lawfulness of detention and order release where detention is found to be illegal.
The organisation has given the Sierra Leone Correctional Service three working days to respond to its request, in line with the Right to Access Information Act, 2013.
CHRDI maintained that no person should remain in custody without lawful authority and called for urgent action to address the cases identified.
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