By Sallieu S, Kanu
Freetown, 19 December 2025 – The Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) has unveiled plans to boost accommodation for its officers, with the Director General, Joseph John Senessie, officially handing over project sites and plans to contractors for the construction of new barracks across the country.
During a three-day working visit to the Southern and Eastern Regions, the DG and his team presented the project sites to KCT and Mapy Investment Company, the firms awarded contracts to begin construction in those regions. The initiative marks the first phase of a nationwide project that will eventually extend to all District Headquarters Towns, addressing long-standing accommodation challenges faced by correctional officers.
The development follows sustained advocacy by SLCS and partner agencies, leading to government approval for additional barracks to strengthen institutional capacity. To ensure transparency and quality, the DG involved key stakeholders—including the Office of National Security (ONS), RSLAF, SLP, civil society groups, paramount chiefs, and district officers—to monitor and supervise the construction process.
Stakeholders pledged to closely oversee the work, describing the project as a national priority that must deliver durable housing solutions.
The visit also marked DG Senessie’s first official tour of the Southern and Eastern Regions since assuming office, drawing enthusiastic receptions from officers. Many expressed appreciation for the leadership’s commitment to their welfare, highlighting the symbolic importance of the DG’s presence.
Addressing officers, Senessie emphasized the importance of work ethics, discipline, and productivity, while outlining ongoing institutional reforms. These include the implementation of the MFR, hospital construction, improved uniform supply, and expanded opportunities for staff. He also urged vigilance and heightened security awareness during the festive season.
Officers lauded the current leadership for its dedication to improving conditions for both staff and inmates. The housing project is expected to significantly enhance morale and operational efficiency, reinforcing SLCS’s mission to deliver effective correctional services nationwide.