In a heartfelt commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Christian Lawyers Centre, commonly known as LEGAL LINK, partnered with philanthropist, artist, and reality TV star Hawa Madiana Hunt to celebrate the occasion with female inmates at the Freetown Female Correctional Centre. The event, held within the well-secured facility, featured motivational talks and donations aimed at uplifting the inmates.
As part of the initiative, LEGAL LINK and Hawa Hunt provided essential supplies, including sanitary pads, toiletries, deodorants, bottled water, laundry soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, bathing soap, bags of rice, onions, cooking oil, and other necessities. The donations sought to improve hygiene and alleviate some of the hardships faced by the inmates.
The female inmates, many of whom are on remand due to their inability to meet bail conditions, warmly welcomed the visiting team. The presence of Hawa Hunt, who had previously spent over two months at the facility during her trial, made the event particularly emotional. As she reconnected with the inmates, they embraced her with joy and sang her song Hawa Yekele, creating a powerful moment of solidarity.
A representative from the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS) commended LEGAL LINK for its continuous advocacy and support for vulnerable groups. She also highlighted the legal and human rights challenges faced by inmates, revealing that the female prison population had nearly doubled from 50 to about 90 within three months. Overcrowding has become a significant issue, as the facility was originally designed to accommodate only 50 inmates.
Many of the incarcerated women are serving life sentences, while others await trial. The majority are detained due to their inability to afford bail. The SLCS representative called for greater support in addressing these issues and ensuring that female inmates receive fair legal representation.
In his opening remarks, Barrister Rashid Dumbuya, Executive Director of LEGAL LINK, praised the staff and officers of the correctional facility for their dedication to inmate welfare. He emphasized that International Women’s Day is a time to recognize women’s struggles and achievements, adding that his organization was committed to offering legal assistance to female prisoners facing unlawful detention, delayed trials, and other judicial injustices.
Dumbuya encouraged the inmates by recalling the life story of Nelson Mandela, who endured 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa’s president. “One girl with courage and determination can be a revolution indeed,” he told the inmates, inspiring them to remain hopeful despite their circumstances.
Hawa Hunt, in an emotional address, shared her own experience of incarceration and urged the inmates to remain prayerful and hopeful. She reassured them of her continued support, announcing plans to establish a state-of-the-art rehabilitation center in Sierra Leone to provide psychological and social support for traumatized individuals, including former inmates.
The event also featured uplifting messages from LEGAL LINK legal interns, Daphne and Dorcas, who spoke on themes of faith, forgiveness, and character transformation. Francess Sellu, the Legal Secretary of LEGAL LINK, led prayers for both the inmates and the correctional staff.
Following the donation ceremony, LEGAL LINK representatives toured the correctional facility’s administrative building, medical units, and vocational training areas, which provide skills training in tailoring, computing, and other technical fields. These reforms align with the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Act of 2014, which aims to transform prisons into rehabilitation centers rather than punitive institutions.
LEGAL LINK commended the government and various stakeholders for their efforts to create a more rehabilitative environment for inmates. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for justice and prison reforms that promote dignity and second chances for incarcerated individuals.
The visit concluded with a vote of thanks from one of the inmates, expressing gratitude for the donations and encouragement received.
Special appreciation was extended to the management of the Female Correctional Centre, Hawa Madiana Hunt, and financial contributors, including Mr. Andrew Lavalie, whose support made the initiative a success.
