Prison Service comments on release of Prisoners

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA- The Ghana Prisons Service on Friday refuted a statement attributed to the Greater Accra Regional Police Crime Officer alleging that some suspected armed robbers have been granted amnesty. Police Chief Superintendent Bright Oduro was also quoted as telling JOY FM in Accra that in future the Police and the Judiciary should be involved in the granting of amnesty.

A statement, issued and signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Prisons Service, Superintendent Mark Agbosu said available records at Kumasi Central Prisons indicate that one Ibrahim Yakubu was a remanded prisoner.

He was released to the Ashanti Regional Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Police Service on July 25 this year to be taken to court.

"Gariba Sumaila and Denis Amewornu Alewa were convicted prisoners serving their sentences at Kumasi Central Prisons before being transferred to Manhyia Local Prisons.

" They were eventually released after fully serving their sentences on April 24th and August 8th 2003 respectively."

The Statement said it was, therefore, not correct that they were released on amnesty granted by President John Agyekum Kufuor and described the comment by the Regional Police Crime Officer as unfortunate, since the criminal records on the ex-prisoners could have been obtained from the Prisons Authorities

It said prisoners serving sentences for offences of murder, armed robbery, rape, defilement and narcotic drugs are not recommended for the granting of amnesty.

Prisoners considered to be of security risk are not recommended. The Statement called for circumspection when matters of security concerns are discussed in the media in other not to create unnecessary anxieties. 26 Sept. 03