The President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has emphasized the dire need for swift and major reforms within the Ghana Prisons Service, citing the serious challenges the sector is plagued with.
Addressing the general public in Damongo after the commissioning of the Damongo Cam Prison, President Mahama stated that citizens should not be denied their humanity just because they are in prison, which is the reason for the planned implementation of major reforms within the sector to curb its many challenges.
“Our administration’s prison reform agenda rests on a fundamental belief that no Ghanaians should be stripped of their humanity even when they are in prison. We are therefore implementing far-reaching reforms.”
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
According to the president, one of the far-reaching reforms to be implemented will be the expansion in the use of alternative sentencing for minor and non-violent offenses, which could potentially reduce prison overcrowding, cut costs, promote rehabilitation, and preserve community ties.
There will also be the reviewing of bail conditions to avoid undue hardship, especially for the poor, who are often sometimes unable to meet bail terms and left in prison custody, as they are also unable to get legal representation.
The president also emphasized that the government will be “introducing a parole system to reward good behavior and accelerate reintegration.” This is a system that is said to be effective and will therefore aid the government’s course.
Reward-based behavior programs in prisons have been shown to improve inmate conduct, enhance motivation, reduce recidivism, and support rehabilitation efforts. These systems foster a more positive prison environment and encourage long-term behavioral change.
The president also noted that the government would tackle the infrastructural deficiency of the sector by “completing the 800-inmate capacity remand prison at Nsawam initiated by my previous administration in 2016, which has been left abandoned.”
He further added that there will be the development of modern correctional centers for men, women, and juveniles.
Correctional centers confine offenders while promoting rehabilitation, public safety, deterrence, justice, and reintegration. They offer programs addressing criminal behavior, ensure legal compliance, and support humane treatment to prepare inmates for productive societal roles and reduce future offenses.
The president also emphasized that the prison officers’ services will be improved with modernized structures to enhance service delivery.
“We are enhancing the conditions of service for our prison officers, modernizing prison infrastructure, and expanding rehabilitation programs connected to sustainable livelihood and employment after release.”
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
He further added that the Ghana Prisons Service, through the government’s reforms, will be equipped to contribute to the government’s 24-hour program through industrialization.
“The Ghana Prison Service will actively contribute to the 24-hour economy by running prison industries around the clock. This will include manufacturing, sewing school uniforms, manufacturing furniture, agro-processing, and other goods both for government use and for the open market.”
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
The president emphasized that the Ghana Prison Service activities under the 24-hour economy program are designed to generate sustainable income for the service while simultaneously empowering inmates.
It is targeted at providing hands-on training and practical skills to inmates and preparing them for successful reintegration into society, enhancing their employability, and reducing the likelihood of reoffending after release.
President Mahama also signaled that the Ghana Prisons Service will be empowered by the government to play a key role in the agricultural sector.
“In agriculture, the prison service is being supported to engage in large-scale farming, including poultry and vegetable production. The government is providing fertilizer and mechanized equipment to improve productivity over the next three years.”
His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
The President further added that, among other measures to equip the service to venture into agriculture, “the prison service is going to receive agricultural tractors and implements so that they can activate their prison camps.”
He therefore reassured the government’s commitment to the reforms as he outlined, emphasizing the need for collective effort to improve the conditions of the prison service.
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