Nsawam Prisons highly overcrowded

The Nsawam Medium Security Prison now holds 2,350 inmates instead of its capacity of 717, Hackman Owusu-Agyeman told Parliament on Thursday. This represents about 300 per cent overcrowding in the country's most secured prison built in 1960.

The Minister, who was answering question in the House said government would trade off some of its prison facilities, especially those that are now found in the middle of cities for more suitable areas.

He said the Ministries of interior and Justice and the Judiciary are discussing the revision of the country's sentencing policy, which places much emphasis on custody. The Minister said most prison facilities have deteriorated while prison officers work under very harsh conditions.

"We should ensure that we don't just warehouse our brothers and sisters who have gone wayward but to treat them humanely so that we could welcome them back into society anytime."

He said most equipment in the Prisons are old, while overcrowding makes it difficult for all inmates to benefit from rehabilitation programmes. "While government is looking at the possibility of providing new equipment to some of the prisons, it is hoped that other well-meaning organisations and individuals will continue to support the prisons."

He said prisoners are encouraged to learn technical skills and farming to enhance rehabilitation and their values on the job market. In another development, the Minister appealed to District Assemblies to help in the provision of office and residential accommodation for police personnel.

He said police facilitates in the country are inadequate and rusty due to the lack of resource flow over the years, even to ensure the proper maintenance of few ones. Owusu-Agyeman said the Police administration was using available resources to keep the few facilities functional, while government formulate plans to put more facilities at the disposal of the Service.