Sierra Leone

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CountrySierra Leone
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Community Development
Prison administration
Sierra Leone Correctional Service
Contact address
Headquarters, Jomo Kenyatta Road, New England Ville, Freetown, Sierra Leone
Telephone
+232-78-134-309
Website
https://slcs.gov.sl/
Email
info@slcs.sl
Head of prison administration (and title)
Ahmed Turay
Director General
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
4 453
at 13.2.2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
52
based on an estimated national population of 8.58 million at February 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
51.1%
(13.2.2024)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
3.5%
(13.2.2024)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
0.0%
(11.9.2018 - under 18)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
0.4%
(13.2.2024)
Number of establishments / institutions
21
(2023)
Official capacity of prison system
2 495
(13.2.2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
178.5%
(13.2.2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2004 c 1,400 c 26
2006 c 1,610 c 28
2008 1,886 30
2010 2,237 34
2012 2,762 40
2014 3,603 50
2016 3,341 45
2018 4,519 58
2020 3,808 47
2022 4,801 57
2004 c 1,400 c 26
2006 c 1,610 c 28
2008 1,886 30
2010 2,237 34
2012 2,762 40
2014 3,603 50
2016 3,341 45
2018 4,519 58
2020 3,808 47
2022 4,801 57

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population

on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                 SIERRA LEONE

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2005
2009
2015
2020

696
1,050
1,894
2,519

40.0%
49.2%
54.3%
66.2%

14
19
30
31

2024

2,277

51.1%

27

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                 SIERRA LEONE

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2007
2010
2015

66
79
116

3.3%
3.5%
3.3%

1.2
1.4
1.8

2024

156

3.5%

1.8

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate