Waterloo Correctional Centre, Sierra Leone — High Court Judge Hon. Justice Hannah Bonnie, on July 3rd, 2025, acquitted and discharged 34 out of 61 inmates during a special sitting of the UNDP-supported Prison Court at the Waterloo Correctional Centre. The session marks a major step in the Judiciary’s ongoing efforts to expand access to justice and resolve prolonged pretrial detention cases.
This initiative falls under the wider reforms led by Chief Justice Komba Kamanda to address delays in the judicial system, particularly for inmates without indictments, those on extended remand, the elderly, and individuals with mental health issues.
Among those released were three women, including two female inmates previously convicted of larceny. Others were serving time for offenses such as receiving stolen property, throwing missiles, wounding, fraudulent conversion, and common assault, mostly handed down by magistrate courts in Waterloo and York.
During the session, several inmates appealed to Justice Bonnie for leniency, expressing remorse and a desire to rebuild their lives. “Mummy, most of us know our conduct was wrong, and we believe we were rightfully convicted. We’ve learnt our lesson and will take a complete turn and become better citizens,” one inmate said.
Another inmate, a mother serving time for larceny, broke down as she explained what led to her conviction. “Stealing is not part of my DNA. I was left with no option as my children were starving,” she told the court.
In her response, Justice Bonnie acknowledged their appeals but made it clear that the law must be respected. She urged the freed inmates to use this second chance wisely and engage in lawful, productive work that contributes to national development.
Turning to ongoing procedural delays, Justice Bonnie drew attention to the cases of 17 inmates who have not yet been served indictments. She ordered the relevant authorities to act without delay so those accused can access the High Court for a proper trial.
She also directed the magistrate courts in Waterloo and York to expedite long-pending cases. Two specific matters, those of Algasimu Sesay, accused of stealing a phone worth eight thousand New Leones, and Issa Kargbo, charged with simple larceny, were ordered to be tried summarily in the magistrate court.
