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General News of Saturday, 31 May 1997

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PRISON DIRECTOR USES PRISONERS ON HIS FARM BY OUR CHIEF REPORTER (Ghanaian Voice )

A top officer of the Prisons Service has for the past three years been using free prison labour to cultivate his private farm. The 25 hectare farm land was leased for 99 years at 5 million cedis by the officer and it has produced millions of cedis for the owner over the period. According to sources close to the Prison Service, Deputy Director of the Prison, Mr.. Richard Kuurie, the owner of the farm, ironically punishes other subordinate officers who indulge in similar practices. This has led to a lot of discontent and low morale among the prison officers, especially those at Nsawam Medium Security Prison. Speaking to the Voice, the sources said DDP Kuurie has stationed a private VW bus number GR 22344 at Nsawam, which regularly conveys the prisoners and officers to his farm everyday, They revealed that contrary to regulations, the Nsawam Prison welfare officer, DSP Bennon, operates as the farm manager, neglecting his vital official duties. The bus parks at his quarters and the driver, another officer, also works for Kuurie's farm during official hours