Congestion hits Tamale prison

Tamale Central Prisons, which was built in 1914 with holding capacity of 78 prisoners, currently has between 250 and 300 prisoners.

The health of the inmates is deteriorating rapidly due to overcrowding at the Tamale Prisons, especially at the remand section.

The Deputy Director of Prisons, Dah Kwesi Leonard, revealed that the “despite the challenges, the reformation aspect of the service has never been downplayed.”

According to the Deputy Prisons Director, the “Justice for All” programme cannot be overemphasized.

He indicated that the programme has led to the decongestion of prisons across the country.

Mr Leonard therefore appealed to the Chief Justice to enhance the exercise to help reduce overcrowding in prisons across the country.

This was made known when the Chief Justice visited the Tamale Central Prisons in the Northern Region for the ‘Justice For All’ outreach programme.

Inmates of Tamale Prisons are trained in shoemaking, smock weaving, basket weaving, and electrical works at the male section while the female inmates are trained in bread and soap making.

These activities are designed to give inmates some skills to enable them earn a living after their release from prison.

However, the implements for training are not adequate in the prisons across the country.