Section 17, The Refugees Protection Act, 2007

(1) Subject to this section, an authorised officer may arrestand detain any refugee whose expulsion has been ordered under section 16 pending completion of arrangements for his expulsion from Sierra Leone. Detention of refugees or asylum seekers pending expulsion. No. Refugees Protection Act 2007No. Refugees Protection Act 200724 25 (2) A refugee who has been arrested may be detained in a prison, police cell or other convenient place, holding females and minors separate from male adults: Provided that such person shall be accorded access to all reasonable amenities necessary for his living conditions in the circumstances. (3) An officer in charge of a prison or police cell shall receive into custody and shall retain in custody any refugee detained or to be detained under subsection (1) when required in writing by an authorised officer to do so, and any refugee detained in a prison solely by virtue of this section shall be treated as a person awaiting trial. (4) The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shall have unhindered access to any person professing a claim to refugees status, at any time and anywhere and shall have the right to confidential communications with such a refugee or asylum seeker.