A Sierra Leonean prosecutor, Musa Pious Sesay, has raised concern about what he describes as the growing involvement of young men in serious crimes across the country.
In a reflection shared from his six years of legal practice, Sesay said he has handled more than 100 criminal cases, including murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and migrant smuggling. He noted that throughout his time as a prosecutor, all the accused persons he has dealt with have been young men.
He explained that many of these cases involve able-bodied men in their 20s and early 30s, some of whom have been sentenced to between 15 and 40 years in prison. According to him, he has witnessed emotional moments in court where young men break down in tears after hearing their sentences.
Sesay said his experience pushed him to understand the root causes of crime among young people. While studying for his Master of Laws degree in Ireland, he took a course in youth crime, where he learned about the social, psychological and biological factors that influence criminal behaviour.
He also referred to the “age-crime curve,” a concept which shows that criminal behaviour often begins during adolescence and is more common among men than women. He said this helped him better understand what he had been seeing in his legal work.
The prosecutor said his experience inspired the idea of “Behind Bars Brighter Futures,” a concept aimed at supporting and guiding young people away from crime.
He used the opportunity to advise young men to be careful with their decisions, warning that a small mistake can lead to serious legal consequences. He urged them to control their anger, avoid negative peer groups, and protect their freedom.
Sesay said he feels a strong responsibility to speak to young people and encourage them to make better choices that will secure their future.
