In a major stride towards strengthening child justice and reforming the juvenile justice system, the Cabinet of the Republic of Sierra Leone on Wednesday 13 July, 2025 officially approved the Diversion and Alternatives to Detention Framework for Children in Conflict with the Law as a National Policy. His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio and every Cabinet Minister described the Framework as ‘very progressive’. This landmark decision signals a new era in the protection of children’s rights and the promotion of child-friendly justice in the country. Cabinet’s profuse approval comes shortly after Parliament passed the revised Child Rights Act (CRA), 2025 into law last week. The revised CRA 2025 provides for the implementation of diversion and non-custodial alternatives for children who come into conflict with the law, particularly for minor and misdemeanour offences.

The Diversion and Alternatives to Detention Framework was developed through a highly consultative and inclusive process led by the Child Justice Working Group (CJWG)—a multi-agency body that includes the Sierra Leone Judiciary, the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, the National Commission for Children, the Legal Aid Board, the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, the Law Reform Commission, Civil Society Organisations such as the Defence for Children International, Don Bosco Fambul, CARITAS Justice and Peace Commission, Prison Watch-Sierra Leone, and Family Homes Movement. The Coordinator of the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO) is the chair for Child Justice Working Group. 

Over the years, UNICEF provided financial and technical support, playing a vital role in the success of the Framework. UNICEF supported the revision and drafting of the Framework, numerous consultative and validation sessions, and helped build capacity by funding the training of over 200 police officers and social workers. Most notably, UNICEF backed the pilot phase of the draft Framework across 24 police stations nationwide, which demonstrated its viability and effectiveness in real-world settings. 

The swift Cabinet approval is a direct result of the strong leadership and commitment of the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq. Before presenting the Framework in Cabinet, Minister Sesay received overwhelming Cabinet concurrences from colleague Ministers – Dr. Isata Mahoi, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Minister of Social Welfare – Mrs Melrose Karminty and the Minister of Internal Affairs – Mr Morie Lengor.

The Diversion and Alternatives to Detention Policy offers a humane, rehabilitative, and restorative justice approach for children alleged to have committed specified minor and misdemeanor offenses. Rather than being processed through the formal justice system—which often results in harmful detention experiences—the Diversion Policy enables such children to be diverted to community-based interventions, counselling, family mediation, or other social services that promote rehabilitation and reintegration. This shift not only reduces the risk of abuse and reoffending among children, but also eases the burden on the criminal justice system and aligns Sierra Leone’s child justice practices with international standards, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.

With Cabinet approval now secured and a legal foundation laid by the new Child Rights Act 2025, the Diversion and Alternatives to Detention Policy will officially be launched. Implementation guidelines, monitoring tools, awareness raising campaigns and more training programs for police, social workers, and judicial officers will be crucial to the success of this landmark Policy. 

This development marks a milestone achievement in Sierra Leone’s child protection and justice reform efforts, demonstrating the power of coordinated action, visionary leadership, and sustained international support.