Remand prisoners major cause of prison congestion -Director of Nsawam Prison
Gilbert Boyefio, Frankie Freeman
11/09/2008
The Regional Commander of Prisons for the Eastern Region, Ansong Agyepong, has stated that the continuous swelling number of remand prisoners whose cases are either under investigation or awaiting trial is a major factor to congestion in the Nsawam Prison.
He disclosed that in December 2000, the remand population at the Nsawam Prison stood at 202, whilst in December 2002 the remand lock-up was 324. However, as of today, the remand population has risen to 1,903.
These remand prisoners include those on remand evacuated from the defunct James Fort Prison in Accra.
Mr Agyepong made these observations when the Minister of Interior, Dr Addo Kufuor, paid an official visit to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison yesterday.
According to the Prisons Regional Commander, remand prisoners represent 64% of the total inmate population of the prison. He explained that currently four out of the eight housing blocks at the prison are used to hold the remand prisoners.
Though the Nsawam Prison, which has been operational since 1956, has an ideal average capacity of 717, now holds 2,926 inmates, including the 1,903 remand prisoners.
There are several types of prisoners in custody at Nsawam, including convicts, condemned prisoners, remands, trials, president's pleasure, debtors, life, lodgers and deportees. Furthermore, there are first offenders as well as recidivists.
Mr Agyepong informed the Minister that the Prisons Administration continues to be in contact with other partners in the criminal justice delivery system, especially the police and the judiciary with regard to the disposal of these remand cases.
He indicated that these efforts are yet to yield the desired results. He also complained that the congestion of the Nsawam Prison comes with its attendant pressure on staff, logistics, health delivery and accommodation as well as the possibility of an epidemic breaking out.
Mr Agyepong pointed out that, having highlighted the problem of remands and related issues, the Service sincerely believe the speedy investigation and trial of remand cases could go a long way to ease congestion.
Mr Agyepong was, however, optimistic that the introduction of the "Justice for All" programme will help in at easing congestion in the Prisons.
On his part, Dr Addo Kufuor said the government over the years has provided a lot of resources to the Service to enable it run the prison effectively. He disclosed that government has paid for 130 vehicles for the Service, out of which 75 have been delivered.
Other logistics that the government has provided for the Service include generators, fencing of the prison, poly tanks to improve water situation, provision of PABX System to improve communications, re-roofing of the prison and provision of workshop equipments.
He commended the Prison Officers for their efficiency and humane manner in which the affairs of the inmates have been managed. He appealed to the inmates to make good use of the President Special Initiative on education that has been introduced at the prison in order to equip themselves for better life outside the prison.
Some of the inmates on remand who spoke with the media complained that they were dumped at the Prison “like a refuse dump” without being regularly being taken to the court. They said that some of them have been on remand from anything from two to five years.
George Mensah, spokesperson for condemned inmates, told the Minister that most of the inmates are still in prison because of ignorance. “It has taken some of us five to ten years to obtain records of our trial in various courts for our appeal. We do not also have any legal representation,” he said.
According to him, “the predicaments that we have gone through over the years here have had a positive impact on us and we are a changed people. We regret offending society but we plead with the President to temper justice with mercy.”
11/09/2008
The Regional Commander of Prisons for the Eastern Region, Ansong Agyepong, has stated that the continuous swelling number of remand prisoners whose cases are either under investigation or awaiting trial is a major factor to congestion in the Nsawam Prison.
He disclosed that in December 2000, the remand population at the Nsawam Prison stood at 202, whilst in December 2002 the remand lock-up was 324. However, as of today, the remand population has risen to 1,903.
These remand prisoners include those on remand evacuated from the defunct James Fort Prison in Accra.
Mr Agyepong made these observations when the Minister of Interior, Dr Addo Kufuor, paid an official visit to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison yesterday.
According to the Prisons Regional Commander, remand prisoners represent 64% of the total inmate population of the prison. He explained that currently four out of the eight housing blocks at the prison are used to hold the remand prisoners.
Though the Nsawam Prison, which has been operational since 1956, has an ideal average capacity of 717, now holds 2,926 inmates, including the 1,903 remand prisoners.
There are several types of prisoners in custody at Nsawam, including convicts, condemned prisoners, remands, trials, president's pleasure, debtors, life, lodgers and deportees. Furthermore, there are first offenders as well as recidivists.
Mr Agyepong informed the Minister that the Prisons Administration continues to be in contact with other partners in the criminal justice delivery system, especially the police and the judiciary with regard to the disposal of these remand cases.
He indicated that these efforts are yet to yield the desired results. He also complained that the congestion of the Nsawam Prison comes with its attendant pressure on staff, logistics, health delivery and accommodation as well as the possibility of an epidemic breaking out.
Mr Agyepong pointed out that, having highlighted the problem of remands and related issues, the Service sincerely believe the speedy investigation and trial of remand cases could go a long way to ease congestion.
Mr Agyepong was, however, optimistic that the introduction of the "Justice for All" programme will help in at easing congestion in the Prisons.
On his part, Dr Addo Kufuor said the government over the years has provided a lot of resources to the Service to enable it run the prison effectively. He disclosed that government has paid for 130 vehicles for the Service, out of which 75 have been delivered.
Other logistics that the government has provided for the Service include generators, fencing of the prison, poly tanks to improve water situation, provision of PABX System to improve communications, re-roofing of the prison and provision of workshop equipments.
He commended the Prison Officers for their efficiency and humane manner in which the affairs of the inmates have been managed. He appealed to the inmates to make good use of the President Special Initiative on education that has been introduced at the prison in order to equip themselves for better life outside the prison.
Some of the inmates on remand who spoke with the media complained that they were dumped at the Prison “like a refuse dump” without being regularly being taken to the court. They said that some of them have been on remand from anything from two to five years.
George Mensah, spokesperson for condemned inmates, told the Minister that most of the inmates are still in prison because of ignorance. “It has taken some of us five to ten years to obtain records of our trial in various courts for our appeal. We do not also have any legal representation,” he said.
According to him, “the predicaments that we have gone through over the years here have had a positive impact on us and we are a changed people. We regret offending society but we plead with the President to temper justice with mercy.”
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