Ex-convict reveals troubling stories of prison life

A Ghanaian ex-convict by the name of Issah Alhassan, has revealed that acts of homosexuality within Ghana's prison system is no longer a secret, since many prisoners practice it in order to survive.

According to Mr. Alhassan, prison convicts don't get fed enough for them to live, and are forced to resort to selling themselves to survive.

"Homosexuality is fast growing among inmates in our prisons…. It's not because of anything precious one would like to have, but just for the reason of hunger,” he said.

The former prisoner related that it is very difficult to find proper food in prison. According to Mr. Alhassan, some inmates are so at ease with it that they actually consider each other as partners.

“I have dumped my partner for a new one,” he said some prisoners are known to say.

He went on to say that most people serving sentences for defilement don't change, that they still live the same lives they did before they were convicted of a crime.

He revealed that homosexuality - known in prison as "Kpeeh" - was the worst part of his prison experience.

Mr. Alhassan said sometimes prison officers convince new inmates to engage in the act with older inmates, adding that some people give in softly simply due to prison conditions.

Mr. Alhassan revealed that he was given a six year prison sentence due to rape, although he says the 17 year old girl involved was his girlfriend.