In a significant step toward modernizing Sierra Leone’s criminal justice system, the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), with financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened a two-day training each for Judges and Magistrates, and State Counsel on the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) 2024. The training, held between the 16th to 19th September 2025 at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Freetown, brought together key justice actors to deepen their understanding of the Act’s new provisions, its practical application, and the procedural reforms it introduces.
Opening the session, the representative of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice commended UNDP and JSCO for their continued partnership in strengthening the administration of justice. He noted that the enactment of the CPA 2024 marks a historic milestone, replacing the century-old Criminal Procedure Act of 1965, and introducing more efficient, rights-based, and transparent processes in the handling of criminal cases.
The facilitators of the training provided an in-depth overview of the Act’s innovations, including provisions for plea bargaining, case management conferences, non-custodial sentencing, and enhanced protection of the rights of accused persons and victims. Participants also examined the operationalization of alternative sentencing—key reforms aimed at reducing congestion in correctional centers and ensuring timely access to justice.
The training adopted a participatory format, with Judges, Magistrates, and State Counsel sharing practical experiences and identifying implementation challenges. The session underscored the importance of cross-institutional coordination among the Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sierra Leone Police, and the Sierra Leone Correctional Service in ensuring the Act’s effective enforcement.
In hia closing remarks, the JSCO Coordinator reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to building institutional capacity across the justice chain. He emphasized that sustained training and dialogue are essential to ensuring that the CPA 2024 delivers its intended impact—a more efficient, fair, and accessible justice system for all Sierra Leoneans. The coordinator frthernderscored UNDP’s continued support to the Justice Sector Reform Strategy 2024–2030, particularly in advancing rule of law and human rights priorities.
The successful completion of the training signals a renewed drive within Sierra Leone’s justice sector to transform criminal justice administration, strengthen accountability, and uphold the principles of fairness and equity under the new legal framework.