Call for new modalities for Penal Code

Accra July, GNA- Mr. George Agyekum Donkor, President of the Guild of Methodist Lawyers on Friday called on the Ministry for the Interior and the Attorney General's Department to work out modalities on the current Penal Code that will enable the courts to use non-custodial sentences.

He said if the penal code was reformed, communities would gain free labour and would spare the government the cost of feeding offenders, as they would have to work from their homes.

Mr. Donkor noted that the non-custodial sentences have a number of advantages for government, the Prison Service and the prisoners themselves as has been tried in some developed countries.

The President, who was speaking at presentation of gifts by the Guild of Methodist Lawyers to the inmates of the James Fort Prisons in Accra said non-custodial sentences would also ease congestion in the country's prisons.

"When offenders work in the community they would be seen and that might discourage others from taking the law into their own hands." The President of the Guild called on the Ghana Police Service to investigate matters thoroughly before charging persons for various offences.

He said there were several prisoners on remand that have been thrown into the prisons by the police and have been forgotten.

"Some of the charges leveled against accused persons are based on the flimsiest evidence, incapable of satisfying the law".

He therefore, called on the government to work hard at improving the condition at the prisons, equip and motivate warders to work hard with integrity and pride.