\u201cIn today\u2019s Independent magazine: a shocking article on the child inmates at Pademba Road prison,\u201d a text message from Ade Daramy read.\u00a0 I had just woken up, switched on my mobile phone when this message came through.\u00a0 (Photo: Unisa Dizo Conteh, President Young Leaders – Sierra Leone)<\/p>\n
Ade, a very good friend of mine, always forwards numerous articles by email, often fascinating ones on Sierra Leone and Africa.\u00a0 Like the one published on the BBC, \u201cNew business hope for Sierra Leone’s war children\u201d by Jon Cronin.\u00a0\u00a0 I enjoyed reading that one.\u00a0 It was about the entrepreneurial determination of the youth to drive Sierra Leone\u2019s development.<\/p>\n
But the article on the Independent, one of UK\u2019s leading newspapers, \u201cA Boy named Abdul,\u201d written by John Carlin, 5 March 2011, was disheartening to read.\u00a0 My six-year-old boy noticed my frowned face while reading this article.\u00a0 He came closer to me, wrapped his hand round my shoulder.\u00a0 \u201cWho\u2019s that?\u201d he asked keenly, pointing at the very sad faces of the inmates featured in the piece.\u00a0 \u201cThey are children at a prison,\u201d I replied.\u201d\u00a0 I asked him what he made of it.\u00a0 \u201cThis is bad,\u201d he replied, without any hesitation.<\/p>\n
Indeed, my son\u2019s verdict is as good as mine.\u00a0 My heart was pounding rapidly, my eyes settled with tears, which I fought hard to suppress.\u00a0\u00a0 I felt like shouting very loud \u2013 in a way that the strength of my voice would destroy the unrepentant walls of Pademba Road prison and set free all the innocent young people locked up in there.<\/p>\n
According to John\u2019s report children, below 18 years, were being jailed in an adult prison in Sierra Leone.\u00a0 Steven, a 17-year-old, had been sentenced for 3 years for stealing two sheep.\u00a0 He died last year after reportedly suffering malnutrition and illness.\u00a0 He died \u201clike a stray dog,\u201d a nurse described.<\/p>\n
\nAnother, boy, 15, also got three years for breaking a car glass.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
There are allegedly more serious crimes that are not yet been investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.\u00a0 Such as the illegal selling of Sierra Leonean passports to foreign nationals.\u00a0 Such as the police who take bribes and pervert the course of justice.\u00a0 Such as officials in public positions who embezzle state funds, yet thrive from doing that.\u00a0 Additionally, people in public positions who take bribe before they can do their jobs.\u00a0 Are these crimes not much serious than stealing two sheep?<\/p>\n
Most of the children serving jail sentences, according to the report, have lost their parents during the war.\u00a0 Some have no responsible adult looking after them or their parents are just too poor.\u00a0 They are the abandoned people of our society.<\/p>\n
An unknown lawyer featured in the report said \u201cIf you don\u2019t have money, you can\u2019t get justice in Sierra Leone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Youth Injustice <\/strong><\/h3>\n
John\u2019s report, although did not provide a thorough insight into child inmates in prisons across the country (he only spent a few weeks in the country), however, his story mirrors the social exclusion our young people face in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n
\nApproximately 75% of young people (between 18-35 years) are unemployed.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Reports found that thousands of young people are employed in mining, but they work in deplorable conditions and their take-home salary is incredibly low.<\/p>\n
Even though Sierra Leone officially has free education, for the children, especially the poor, it is inaccessible because their parents are unable to buy text books and other materials for school.<\/p>\n
Last year education spending was 8% of the national budget, while 40% was spent on governance.<\/p>\n
In December 2010, the government banned musical activities due to trouble caused by a tiny minority \u2013 resulting to loss of earnings for many young musicians for whom December is a month that offers the opportunity for great rewards for their labour.<\/p>\n
About two weeks ago 30 school pupils were sent in prison for up to nine months \u2013 they had been in possession of knives, scissors, compasses and forks, according to a reporter.<\/p>\n
Of the US$20 million the World Bank committed for youth employment, much of the money is being spent on short-term job creation while a small amount is spent on skills training.\u00a0 Should it not be the other way round?\u00a0 So that more is spent on skills training which will provide a long-term benefit for the youth?<\/p>\n
What can be done?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Significant investment should be directed toward preventing youth crime and providing resources that will make the lives of the youth meaningful.\u00a0 No one was born a criminal.\u00a0 Of course as a society we should be concerned about punishing those who commit offences.\u00a0 But, we should equally be concerned about the motivation for a child to commit an offence in the first place.<\/p>\n
Every Sierra Leonean child has rights, regardless of their social or economic background. \u00a0It is the responsibility of the government to ensure the rights of children are protected.\u00a0\u00a0 Our courts must ensure that punishment is proportionate to the nature of the crime, taking mitigating circumstances into consideration before giving children custodian sentences.<\/p>\n
The fight against corruption must be intensified and preventive measures must be put in place to make it very hard for someone to steal or misuse public money.\u00a0 Stealing public money causes a reduction in our country\u2019s resources, which deprives the development of our youth as education and spending in areas that would benefit them are dangerously hampered.<\/p>\n
In recent years politicians have added in their policy statements that they care for the youth.\u00a0 But they have largely failed to do much to address the problems that the youth face.\u00a0 Perhaps in the coming general elections the youth should sign a legally binding contract with politicians so that they can be held accountable if they fail to deliver on a promise.<\/p>\n
Probably, most of our young people in prison in Sierra Leone are wrongly convicted and they pose no threat to our society.\u00a0 Please do not rob our country\u2019s future by unfairly punishing, neglecting and frustrating Sierra Leone\u2019s children.<\/p>\n
By Unisa Dizo-Conteh<\/em><\/p>\n
About the author: <\/strong>Unisa Dizo-Conteh is the president of Young Leaders-Sierra Leone (www.ylsl.org), an organisation that provides a platform for young Sierra Leonean professionals at home and in the Diaspora to participate in nation building through dialogue, education, advocacy, networking, and development. <\/em><\/p>\n
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
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