The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has declared a human rights emergency in Sierra Leone, citing alleged overcrowding, poor healthcare, inadequate food and prolonged detention without trial in the country’s correctional centres.
In a press statement issued on Monday, 19 October 2026, CHRDI said its monitoring mission conducted on 14 October at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road and the New England Female Correctional Centre uncovered what it described as serious violations of inmates’ fundamental human rights.
According to the organisation, 20 inmates have died since March 2026, with 13 deaths reportedly occurring inside correctional facilities and seven in hospitals. CHRDI attributed the deaths to conditions including severe anaemia, malnutrition and inadequate medical facilities.
The organisation also reported concerns about medical procedures allegedly performed in inadequately equipped facilities, alongside the presence of inmates with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. It further raised concerns about individuals with psychosocial and cognitive disabilities being detained without appropriate psychiatric assessment and care.
CHRDI said Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre houses approximately 2,016 inmates, while the New England Female Correctional Centre holds more than 184 female detainees. It described the reported conditions as severe overcrowding that threatens inmates’ health and dignity.
The organisation also expressed concern over food provision, alleging that inmates receive only two basic meals daily. It said the reported feeding arrangements raise serious questions about the State’s responsibility to provide adequate nutrition to people in custody.
On access to justice, CHRDI said a significant proportion of inmates are awaiting trial, raising concerns about prolonged pre-trial detention and the constitutional presumption of innocence.
The organisation called attention to Sierra Leone’s obligations under the 1991 Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Convention Against Torture and the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, commonly known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
CHRDI urged the relevant authorities to address the reported conditions and ensure that inmates’ rights to humane treatment, adequate healthcare, proper nutrition and timely access to justice are protected.
The allegations and figures cited in the statement have not been independently verified.
