When Don Bosco moved to Turin in 1841, he was deeply moved by the plight of young people in prison there. Many of these young people had come from the countryside hoping to find work in Turin, but there were not enough jobs for them and those who could not find employment either joined street gangs or were left homeless. Often, both of these options led to imprisonment. Don Bosco was determined to provide a better future for these young people, and dedicated his life to their wellbeing.
Today, the Salesians of Don Bosco in Sierra Leone continue to follow Don Bosco’s example of love and compassion towards those in prison. They work in a challenging context; Sierra Leone has been deeply affected by a civil war between 1991 and 2002 which killed an estimated 50,000 people and left about two million people displaced. The destruction it brought also severely affected the economy and the healthcare system, with high unemployment rates and a life expectancy of only 62 years. The education system is also still suffering from the effects of the war, with scarce resources, a lack of teachers, and many school buildings destroyed.
In Freetown, the capital, many children and young people live on the streets and often become involved in gangs, theft, begging or prostitution. Many of them also struggle with addiction to alcohol or drugs. The Salesians in Freetown work directly with these young people through their youth centre and their rehabilitation programmes for street children. This important work provides practical support for young people who might otherwise end up in prison.
The Salesians in Freetown also provide life-changing support to those already in prison. They work hard to serve the inmates of the Pademba Road Correctional Centre, Freetown, who face severe human rights violations and inhumane treatment. This ministry includes supporting the juvenile detention centre, where vulnerable children are unjustly imprisoned, in violation of both national laws and international human rights standards.
The living conditions within the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre, including the female incarceration centre, are among the worst in the world. Originally built to house 300 inmates, the prison is now dangerously overcrowded with over 2,000 inmates, thus operating at 600% of its design capacity. Structural neglect and human rights violations are commonplace. Women and juveniles are particularly vulnerable and are often detained in conditions that violate international protection conventions.
The government struggles to provide even the most basic necessities, such as nutritious meals and proper healthcare. The food provided lacks essential nutrients, leading to widespread malnutrition and illness. The lack of clean water and sanitation facilities further exacerbates these issues. These conditions often result in frequent disease outbreaks, leading to preventable deaths.
In response to these dire conditions, the Salesians work to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable inmates. They address basic human needs by providing:
- Nutritious Meals: Supplying food that meets the dietary needs of malnourished and young inmates.
- Healthcare: Offering medical and dental care, addressing illnesses that would otherwise go untreated.
- Psycho-Social Support: Providing psychological counselling and support to help inmates cope with the harsh realities of prison life.
- Legal Assistance: Offering legal advice and support to ensure inmates’ rights are upheld.
- Family Tracing and Reunification: Assisting inmates in reconnecting with their families, including offering transportation and support upon release.
The Salesians also work to provide clean drinking water for inmates, which is crucial for preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.
The Salesians in Freetown recognise that true rehabilitation requires support after the sentence ends. To ensure former inmates do not return to a cycle of crime, they are offered:
- Education and Skills Training: Helping them gain the knowledge and skills needed to reintegrate into society and avoid returning to crime.
- Housing Support: Providing accommodation and basic furnishings for those who cannot return to their places of origin or lack a safe place to live.
- Social Reintegration: Restoring the dignity of former inmates and promoting community acceptance.
Overall, the goal of the Salesians’ ministry at Pademba Road Correctional Centre is to transform a site of structural neglect into a starting point for restoration. Psalm 65:6 describes how God “leads out the prisoners with singing”, while Isaiah 61:2 speaks of proclaiming “freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners”. The Salesians in Freetown today are bringing God’s light, hope, and practical care to inmates living in deplorable conditions. By addressing immediate survival needs and investing in long-term stability, they empower these vulnerable individuals to rebuild their lives both during and after their incarceration.
Will you partner with them today? Your prayers and financial support can help to sustain this vital work and restore human dignity to some of Sierra Leone’s most vulnerable people.
– Fr Peter Abeku Dughan SDB and Abigail Nugent
