We will deal drastically with officers who ‘steal’ donations - Rev.Wengam

The Chairman of Ghana Prisons Council, Rev. Stephen Wengam has issued a stern warning to prison officers who ‘steal’ donations meant for inmates.

Some Prisons Officers in the country have been cited for theft by the public, diverting food items donated by philanthropists meant for upkeep of prisoners.

Speaking on Ultimate breakfast show hosted by Lantam Papanko, he cautioned that officers found culpable in this act will be prosecuted.

He called on the public to assist the council with information to crack whip on officers who engage in this dubious act.

He believes the council has an image to protect and will not allow its officers to drag it into the mud.

‘Well in every human institution there are bad nuts and you always have people with that tendency, like we have read in the story, we have received complaints from the general public, the only disappointing aspect is that when you ask to provide evidence, they are scared, they give all kinds of excuses, of course this is wild allegations, some have been complaints from some ex-convicts, inmates themselves, I know in the past, the directorate has investigated some and those who were found culpable were punished.

We are yet to receive such complaints with evidence, and once, council has gone out there to Efiase to donate, I needed to assure Ghanaians that whatever donations that come, we the council and the directorate are committed to ensure that the donations are used for the purposes they are intended, therefore we are sending a warning across the country that any prison officer found culpable in this direction will be dealt with drastically especially according to the laws guiding the profession and also of the land,’ he warned.