Prison DG Accused Of Holding Officers Rice Hostage Over Outing Fees
By Staff Writer
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) following allegations that Director-General Joseph John Senesie is withholding rice supplies intended for prison officers to compel them to pay contributions towards an outing organised by the Prison Officers’ Wives Association.
Investigations by this newspaper suggest that officers have allegedly been asked to contribute Le500 if they are senior officers and Le150 if they are junior officers towards the association’s planned outing. Officers who fail to make the payments are reportedly at risk of being denied their rice entitlements.
The situation has reportedly generated resentment among officers, particularly as the association is led by the wife of the Director-General, who is alleged to be overseeing the collection of the contributions.
Several senior officers, speaking to this newspaper on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, described the alleged arrangement as unfair, coercive and an additional burden on personnel already struggling with the rising cost of living.
Officers serving in provincial correctional facilities have also reportedly expressed disappointment, questioning why their rice supplies should allegedly be tied to payments for a social event organised by an association.
They argued that their salaries are already inadequate to meet their daily financial obligations and that compelling them to contribute towards the outing, under the threat of losing their rice supplies, places unnecessary pressure on their welfare.
The officers further questioned the authority under which such contributions are being demanded, insisting that access to their rice entitlements should not be made conditional on participation in an association’s social activities.
The allegations have sparked broader concerns about staff welfare, administrative accountability and the management of resources within the Sierra Leone Correctional Service.
This newspaper will continue to investigate the matter and seek an official response from Director-General Joseph John Senesie to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and give the SLCS management an opportunity to respond.
