By Alpha Abu
The much -talked about relocation of the Pademba Road Correctional Centre is gathering pace with Internal Affairs Minister, David Panda Noah revealing at the weekly government press conference in Freetown on Thursday 26 August 2021 that, Consultants were already working on the architectural designs for the new prison complex to be built at Songo in the Koya rural district, outside the capital, Freetown.
The Minister asserted that the political will is there to get the construction project started on 300 acres of land and went on to conduct a presentation on the various aspects of the new facility.
A survey of the land has been completed whilst negotiations have begun with community stakeholders. The structures to be built are expected to give a whole new dimension and improved conditions on the welfare, housing and recreational needs of inmates. There will also be provisions for improved feeding routine for the prisoners as well as relatively convenient cell-spacing to avoid overcrowding at the new location.
The spiritual aspect of inmates will be addressed with the construction of places of worship for both Christian and Muslim worshippers, and the establishing of staff quarters for correctional officers. Basic amenities are to be established for the nearby civilian community that will be separated from the Songo Prison by an expansive stretch of land that will serve as perimeter or buffer zone that could be used in case of contingency plans or emergencies.
The Internal Affairs Minister spoke about the congested nature of the present Pademba road correctional centre that now accommodates over 1,500 people; the British colonial administration had constructed the place for just 324 inmates. He said the place was not ideal for housing such a high number of people, citing human right issues and other inconveniences emanating from the overcrowding. He spoke about the numerous security breaches taking place there, including the trafficking of contrabands, and the inconveniences business owners and people in the sprawling residential houses nearby do face intermittently.
Even the officers hardly enjoy their working environment, the minister pointed out.
Noah affirmed that the present prison was not ideal enough for housing inmates, in light of the overwhelming disadvantages, hence the decision for relocation of it. He said those underlying factors and the government’s cognisance of the Mandela Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of offenders, influenced their decision to move the prison.
He disclosed that the old structure will be redeveloped to a multi-purpose complex that will also comprise a Car Park.
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