Prison Rice: Millions Unaccounted For

Prison Rice: Millions Unaccounted For

A recent report by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has highlighted significant discrepancies in government spending on rice procurement for correctional facilities, estimating an over-expenditure of up to NLe189 million above reasonable consumption levels between 2016 and 2023.

The findings are detailed in the February 2026 edition of IGR’s Critical Perspectives on Governance, titled Di Hade Pa Di Case II: Prison Rice and the Case for a New Politics. The study analyzed 552 procurement contracts issued by the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) across two successive political administrations.

The report indicates that a total of NLe211.3 million was spent on inmate rice over the eight-year period, equating to an average annual expenditure of NLe5,707 per inmate, or approximately NLe15.63 daily.

However, IGR’s analysis suggests that the quantities documented in procurement records vastly exceed standard dietary needs. Procurement figures reflect an average daily allocation of 10.2 cups of rice per inmate, with a peak of 15 cups in 2017 and a low of four cups in 2020.

In contrast, national consumption data and nutritional guidelines suggest that an adult typically consumes around two cups of rice daily, rarely exceeding three cups even on high-calorie regimens. IGR characterized the recorded procurement figures as "economically implausible."

Using conservative consumption benchmarks, the institute recalculated the expenditure, concluding that substantial amounts appear unjustified. Based on a three-cup daily allocation, approximately NLe144 million (68 percent of total spending) cannot be substantiated. This potential excess increases to NLe166.5 million at two cups per day and peaks at NLe189 million at a one-cup daily rate.

Beyond fiscal concerns, the report also identified patterns in contractor selection, noting that over 60 percent of prison food suppliers were replaced following the 2018 change in government, suggesting potential political influence in procurement decisions. Similar turnover was reportedly observed after the 2007 transition.

Despite the high reported expenditure, previous performance audits cited in the study indicate that inmates in some facilities receive inadequate food portions, with one instance reporting a single basin of rice covering both lunch and dinner.

IGR warns that this disparity raises serious accountability concerns if procurement records do not accurately reflect actual feeding conditions.

The institute calls for an immediate, comprehensive review of food procurement practices across all state institutions, including correctional facilities, hospitals, and security services. It further recommends the accelerated digitalization of procurement systems to enhance transparency and strengthen oversight mechanisms.