The Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO) convened a crucial meeting of the Justice Sector Technical Working Group (TWG) to discuss the Implementation Plan for the Justice Sector Reform Strategy (2024-2030), with a focus on key priorities for 2024-2025. The meeting, chaired by the JSCO Coordinator, Mr. Shahid M. Korjie, brought together key stakeholders from the Sierra Leone Judiciary, the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), the Law Reform Commission, the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG), the Sierra Leone Law School and the Independent Police Complaints Board (IPCB).

Central to the issues discussed was the need for revenue mobilization to support the effective implementation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy (2024-2030). While acknowledging the Minister of Finance’s participation in validating the Strategy during the Justice Sector Leadership meeting held mid last year, Mr. Korjie underscored the need for a multi-faceted approach, including engagements with development partners, to secure the necessary financial and technical resources.

Providing an overview of the Strategy’s development, the Coordinator highlighted that this marks the fifth generation of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy, reflecting years of continuous progress and reform. He explained that the Strategy identifies seventeen (17) key institutions integral to justice sector operations, including the Sierra Leone Police, the Office of National Security, the Ministry of Social Welfare, and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. The Strategy sets out four (4) strategic outcomes, eighteen (18) key policy actions, and eighty (80) activities aimed at strengthening justice service delivery, human rights protections, case management, and legal framework reforms.

Recognising that the justice sector needs are dynamic, Mr. Korjie reassured stakeholders that activities not overtly included in the Strategy could still be incorporated into a rolling Work Plan, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to emerging priorities. 

In his opening remarks, the Hon, Justice Alusine Sesay (JSC), representing the Sierra Leone Judiciary emphasized the importance of an inclusive approach to justice sector reforms. His Lordship noted how difficult it is to prioritise one activity over another within the Judiciary, as they are all crucial in ensuring efficient justice delivery.

“For instance, case management is as important as the recruitment of more judges, magistrates, and other judicial staff. Hence, resource mobilization is of utmost importance,” he stated.

He further highlighted that while different justice institutions face unique challenges, their problems are interconnected, requiring a cohesive and well-coordinated approach.

“We cannot fix one sector and then leave the other with lapses. By doing so, we will not achieve the justice system we envision,” he remarked. He concluded by commending the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice for his relentless efforts in supporting justice sector institutions to achieve their respective mandates.

The Deputy Secretary of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), Mr. Fredrick Kamara provided updates on the ongoing review of the HRCSL Act, which is expected to be forwarded to the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for drafting into law. He emphasised the Commission’s commitment to expanding its national presence by recruiting more human rights officers and increasing the reach of its offices across the country.

The Registrar of the Sierra Leone Law School, Mr. Daniel J Lavaly, informed the meeting of the construction of a State-of-the-art Five-Storey building with modern facilities at the Law School. This modern multi-purpose complex will ease the burden of the dire need of classrooms and other facilities that the Sierra Leone Law School had long grappled with. The Registrar intimated the meeting about long term plans to decentralise the Law School across the country. 

The Supervisor at the Freetown Male Correctional Center, Mr. Julius J. Manley, raised the issue of overcrowding at the Pademba Road Correctional Center, which was originally built for about 346 inmates but currently houses 1,509 prisoners. He expressed hope for the construction of a larger correctional facility at a land that has been allocated to the Correctional Service. On the issue of the shortage of correction staff, Mr. Manley was pleased that the Government of Sierra Leone has approved the recruitment of 1,000 new correction officers which shall be done in two phases.

Mr. David Y. Kabia, Legal Research Officer, from the Law Reform Commission updated the meeting on the ongoing efforts to modernize outdated legal frameworks. Key among these reforms is the review of the Sierra Leone Police Act of 1964, which aims to align the law with contemporary policing practices and international human rights standards. Additionally, the Commission is spearheading the development of a new Mediation Law, which is expected to institutionalise alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to enhance access to justice and ease the burden on formal court processes.

The Communications Officer from the Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB), Mr. Vandy Bawoh noted that in their drive to expand the reach of the IPCB across the country, proposals have been developed which will be shared with the Technical Working Group. 

Mr. Deen Tawaralie, a Prosecutor from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) underscored the progress made by the ACC in the fight against corruption that is directly linked with strengthening the rule of law in Sierra Leone. 

The Legal Representative from the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG), whilst updating the meeting, expressed hope that the crucial activities of the OARG will be captured in the rolling work plan. 

Members of the Technical Working Group agreed that the Justice Sector Coordination Office engages bilaterally with the Management of various justice sector institutions in order to ensure close discussion of the Strategy and the Implementation Plan. 

In concluding the meeting, the JSCO Coordinator assured all of the Hon. Attorney General and Minister of Justice’s relentless efforts in engaging both the Ministry of Finance and development partners to secure funding and technical support for the Strategy’s implementation. “The support received will be channeled to the respective institutions for their specific justice needs.” The Coordinator emphasized.  

The meeting of the Justice Sector Technical Working Group reaffirmed the collective commitment of justice sector institutions to implement the Justice Sector Reform Strategy (2024-2030). While financial constraints remain a challenge, stakeholders recognized the importance of sustained engagement with both government and development partners to ensure adequate resource mobilization. The session served as a reminder that justice sector reforms require a coordinated and inclusive approach, with all institutions playing their role in building a more effective and equitable justice system in Sierra Leone.

For further inquiries, please contact 

The Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO)

Communications Unit

Block 14, Special Court

Jomo Kenyatta Road

New England 

Freetown 

Email: info@jsco.gov.sl

Website: https://jsco.gov.sl/blog/