Supreme Court Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei has welcomed the passage of Ghana's Community Service Bill, arguing that people who commit minor offences out of hunger or desperation should not automatically be sent to prison.

Speaking from a criminology perspective during an interview on GHOne TV, Justice Adjei said custodial sentences are not appropriate for every offence, particularly where no violence or serious harm is involved.

According to him, imprisoning someone for stealing a bunch of plantains or GH¢100 because of hunger places an unnecessary financial burden on the state while doing little to address the root cause of the offence.

"As a criminologist, I'm happy because it is not every offence that a person must be imprisoned," he said.

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He explained that instead of imposing lengthy prison terms, courts should consider alternatives such as community service, educational programmes, or other rehabilitative measures that allow offenders to remain productive members of society.

Justice Adjei acknowledged that some human rights advocates may have reservations about community-based punishments but maintained that such measures are more beneficial than incarceration for minor offenders.

"Some people are not supposed to be there. They are supposed to be outside," he stated, stressing that offenders convicted of petty crimes can make meaningful contributions to society while serving their sentences.

He expressed satisfaction that, under the Community Service Bill, individuals convicted of minor offences will be allowed to perform community service instead of serving prison terms.

However, Justice Adjei clarified that the legislation does not apply to serious offences, noting that violent and other grave crimes will continue to attract custodial sentences in accordance with the law.

PAH/MA

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