The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) released empirical findings on Friday, May 9, 2026, revealing widespread over-detention and a significant lack of legal representation within police facilities across Freetown. The report followed an independent monitoring exercise conducted by CHRDI between April 28 and May 7, 2026, which assessed conditions in 15 police stations and posts across the capital. During this period, the organization monitored a total of 953 detainees. More than 900 of these detainees reportedly lacked access to legal representation, noting systemic issues within the justice system. CHRDI urged the Sierra Leone Police, judiciary, legal aid institutions, and Government stakeholders to implement urgent reforms to address these findings and ensure adherence to legal standards.
Extent of Over-Detention and Legal Access Gaps
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International's (CHRDI) report indicated that 495 of the 953 detainees monitored, representing 52 percent, were allegedly held beyond statutory legal detention limits. This significant percentage shows a systemic problem of prolonged detention without due process. The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) recorded the highest number of individuals held past legal limits, with 144 over-detained suspects, signaling a critical area for immediate intervention. The report emphasized that these individuals were often held without proper legal justification, violating their fundamental rights.
Specific police stations also showed significant numbers of over-detained individuals. Lumley Police Station recorded 45 cases of over-detention, contributing substantially to the overall figures. Aberdeen Police Station had 38 such cases, indicating similar challenges in adhering to detention protocols. Kissy Barracks Police Station reported 36 cases of over-detention, further illustrating the widespread nature of the issue. In stark contrast, Kissy Shell Police Station registered zero cases of over-detention during the monitoring period, suggesting that compliance is achievable with proper oversight and adherence to regulations.
Access to legal counsel was severely limited across the monitored facilities. The report noted that more than 900 detainees reportedly lacked access to legal representation, a critical component of fair legal proceedings. This lack of access was particularly acute at the CID, where at least 140 detainees were reportedly isolated without any access to legal representation, raising serious concerns about their ability to mount a defense or even understand their rights. Across all facilities, only 42 detainees were released on bail during the monitoring period, indicating a low rate of temporary release. A total of 55 detainees were formally charged to court, suggesting that a significant portion of detainees remained in custody without formal charges being brought against them.
The report also detailed disparities in legal processing among police stations, reflecting inconsistencies in the application of legal procedures. Ross Road, Kissy Shell, and Adelaide Street Police Stations reportedly recorded zero court charges, which could imply delays in case progression or a reliance on extended detention without formal judicial review. Kissy Barracks, PWD Kissy, Texaco, and Kissy Old Road Police Stations recorded no bail releases over the monitoring duration, noting potential barriers to obtaining bail in these specific locations. This situation often leads to prolonged pre-trial detention, even for minor offenses.
Demographics and Vulnerable Detainees
Minors under 18 were allegedly found detained in adult cells across 11 of the 15 police facilities monitored by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI). This practice is a grave concern, as it exposes vulnerable children to adult criminal environments, which can have severe psychological and developmental impacts. Kissy Barracks Police Station reportedly recorded the highest number of minors in adult detention cells with 13 cases, indicating a significant breach of child protection protocols. Calaba Town Police Station documented seven cases of minors in adult detention cells, a figure matched by the Eastern Police Posts, which collectively recorded seven such cases. These findings show the urgent need for specialized facilities and procedures for juvenile offenders, in line with international human rights standards.
Young adults between 18 and 35 constituted the majority of detainees observed during the monitoring period, reflecting a demographic often caught in the criminal justice system. Ross Road Police Station recorded the highest concentration of detainees in this age group, with 123 individuals, suggesting a particular prevalence of arrests among this segment of the population in that area. The report indicated a significant gender imbalance among detainees. Males accounted for 93 percent of the total detainees, illustrating a predominant male presence in police custody. Females represented seven percent of detainees, according to CHRDI's findings, though the report did not elaborate on specific issues faced by female detainees.
Case Studies and Systemic Issues
The CHRDI report included several case studies that vividly illustrate the systemic issues identified. At Central Police Station, a suspect was allegedly held for four days without bail or charge in connection with an alleged civil debt amounting to Le365. This incident exemplifies the misuse of police detention for civil matters, a practice that is contrary to legal principles and contributes to over-detention. This case is one of several detailing specific instances of over-detention for non-criminal matters.
Ross Road Police Station presented another concerning scenario where three murder suspects remained in detention despite having been formally charged. Among them, a father and son had been detained for 29 days, and another suspect for 25 days, as of May 7, 2026. Such prolonged detention after charging, without a clear path to trial or release, notes significant delays in the judicial process.
A sexual penetration suspect was reportedly detained for 46 days while awaiting legal advice. The delay was attributed to the lack of an approved surety for release, a common procedural bottleneck that often leads to extended pre-trial detention. This situation shows the need for more efficient legal aid services and clearer guidelines for bail and surety processes.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) handled a complex cross-border case where a suspect was detained for 76 days. This extended detention period was reportedly due to delays involving authorities in Guinea, INTERPOL, and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, showing challenges in international cooperation for legal processes. While cross-border cases can be inherently complicated, the duration of detention raises questions about the efficiency of inter-agency coordination and the protection of detainees' rights during such protracted investigations. These case studies collectively paint a picture of a justice system grappling with procedural inefficiencies, lack of resources, and insufficient adherence to human rights standards.