By Mohamed Konneh
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Tuesday 31st March 2026 commissioned the newly Constructed Administrative Building of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service in Freetown. The new building constructed by contractor, Moinina Jabbie is situated at the New England adjacent the old wooden offices.
Commissioning the newly constructed Building, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh thanked the Management and Staff of the Correctional Service for the work done in having the magnificence edifice.
‘This building we are commissioning today is the first since independence. Since 1961 the Correctional Service was having an admin building that do not befits the status of the institution,’’ he said.
The Vice President noted that when assume the role of Vice President in 2018 the government took upon itself to modernize the security sector.
‘’ This is the product of that modernization. We were also looking at how we could build a security sector that is strong and capable of performing it duty. I am happy today because of this achievement, Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh said.
Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh recalled saying that since 2013 this is the first time the Service is having a new brand uniforms.
‘’We have agreed as a council that people will no longer be promoted because you know somebody in government. Through carrier service development promotion will now base on learning and capacity building,’’ he emphasized.
The Vice President draws example from the Sierra Leone Police where promotion are now based on merit.
He said another area government is working on is the Operational capability and this include mobility, communication noting that these are the things done since 2018.
Correctional officers must be good people, discipline and dedicated to work.
‘’When you are a dedicated to work people will know you and see you. Development is another character we look for. We’ve come from a difficult background.
Another good news the Vice President talk about is the new plan to relocate Pademba Road Maximum centre.
He said very soon the Pademba Road Maximun will be moved to Masankay.
‘’As a government we are doing a whole lot, as we continue the digitalization. This is part of reformation we are driving.
He uses the occasion to launch the correctional service strategic plan, a plan that will drive the operation of the institution in the near future.
The Director General of Sierra Leone Correctional Service, John J Senesie speaking earlier said the building represent a milestone in the life of the institution.
He said for decades the administrative have been residing in a wooden building that do not befits the status of the institution.
The Director General noted that the new building will serve the aspiration of the institution.
‘’This building comprises conference room, befitting office space and spacious compound. Let me used this opportunity to thanked the President Julius Maada Bio and all those who push to have a building of this nature.
This building he said is not just a building of bricks and mutter but a building that will last the test of time.
Francis Alpha University of Sierra Leone in his statement also noted that the event is not just about commissioning but reforms and progress within the Correctional service.
‘’Just recently, the University of Sierra Leone signed an MOU with the Correctional Service. This collaboration will help build the capacity of officers for a safer society.
Sahr David Ngauja, Chief of General Staff of the RSLAF, pioneer of the building said the commissioning is a testament to justice and security in Sierra Leone.
He said after returning from Somalia there was a challenge at the Freetown Male Correctional center.
‘’I was called upon together with other colleagues in the sector to assist. The committee chaired by the Vice President asked us to put together a plan. We all saw the Mobility challenge and infrastructure.
He said during his time several buildings were refurbished.
‘’We were provoked about the wooden administrative building that is more than one hundred years. Thanks to the government of Sierra Leone for financing this building.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengoh in his statement said since independence this is the first Modern Administrative Building.
The Internal Affairs thanked government for funding the construction.
‘’This is one way in building capacity and lifting the moral of officers. People who commit crime are brought here. Both the officers and inmates are locked up so there is every need to care for them.
Mr. Lengoh noted that very shortly the Correctional Service will go into agriculture as part of our effort to support the government ‘’Feed Salone Program’’.
The commissioning was climaxed by tour of the facility and display of new uniforms procured for the institution.
