Criminal Justice System in Sierra Leone

This policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies assesses the systemic failures of the criminal justice system in Sierra Leone following a decade-long civil war. It identifies critical weaknesses across policing, prosecution, prisons, and the judiciary, highlighting issues of corruption, underfunding, and outdated legislation. The document recommends comprehensive reforms, including budgetary increases, the modernization of legal acts, and the harmonization of the dual legal system to improve access to justice for marginalized groups.

• The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) suffers from a negative public image, characterized by pervasive corruption, incompetence, and low morale. These issues are exacerbated by budget constraints, poor remuneration, and a reliance on the outdated Police Act of 1964.
• The prosecution service is weakened by political interference, as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) takes direction from the Attorney-General, who also serves as the Minister of Justice. Additionally, the use of police officers as prosecutors—who often lack basic legal knowledge—contributes to trial delays and inefficiency under the archaic Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
• The Prison Service is described as the weakest link in the system, marked by overcrowding, deplorable living conditions, and human rights violations including rape and beatings. Remand prisoners, women, and juveniles are frequently held alongside convicted prisoners, violating international standards.
• The judiciary is understaffed and viewed as corrupt and inefficient. A significant structural issue is the bifurcated legal system, which maintains different courts for the capital, Freetown, and the provinces, leading to injustice and limited judicial presence outside the capital.
• Access to justice is severely limited for women, juveniles, the poor, and illiterate citizens due to high court fines and a weak delivery system. Juvenile justice is particularly deficient, lacking specific courts and adequate detention facilities, with personnel often unaware of the laws governing minors.
• Sierra Leone employs a dual legal system where customary law applies in provinces and chiefdoms, serving up to 70% of citizens who prefer it over the formal system for family, inheritance, and land disputes. However, these local courts face political interference and sometimes execute punishments, such as flogging, that conflict with the constitution.

APA

Institute for Security Studies (2009). Criminal Justice System in Sierra Leone. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/POLBRF5.PDF

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. Criminal Justice System in Sierra Leone. 2009. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/POLBRF5.PDF.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=Criminal Justice System in Sierra Leone |date=July 2009 |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/POLBRF5.PDF |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudies2009criminal, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{Criminal Justice System in Sierra Leone}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2009}, month = jul, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/site/uploads/POLBRF5.PDF}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }