Resurgence of crime is due to lack of skilled training - DDP

Kumasi, Dec 29, GNA - Mr Kofi Tweneboa Kodua Oppong, the Deputy Director of Prisons in charge of the Ashanti Region, has attributed the resurgence of armed robbery in the country to the fact that the robbers have no skills from which they could earn a living after their release from jail.

This, he said, compel ex-convicts to return to making a living from robbery.

To curb this phenomenon, the Regional Prisons Commander suggested that there is the need to resource the Prison Service adequately to be able to reform and rehabilitate prisoners.

Addressing a congregation of the inmates of the Kumasi Central Prison during the visit of the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kumasi, the Most Rev Peter Akwasi Sarpong, to the prison on Boxing Day, Mr Oppong said lack of budgetary support, equipment, vehicles and other logistic support had affected the service.

He said if the service were properly equipped, the resurgence of armed robbery and the general crime situation would reduce drastically. Mr Oppong said the vision of the Regional Prison Administration for the coming year is to concentrate on the reformation and rehabilitation of prisons in spite of the difficulties and called for support from the society.

He said in line with this new vision, modern correctional methods like literacy classes, trade training, counselling and psychological assistance would be vigorously pursued.

Mr Oppong said the service had recruited a psychologist and a counsellor to man the new Counselling and Psychological Unit to help with the character moulding and reformation of inmates.

He said the service is in consultation with the Ghana Library Board and other organisations to help resource the Prisons Library for prisoners.

Mr Oppong called on entrepreneurs to invest in the existing ventures of the service such as its kente industry, masonry, tailoring, shoemaking, blacksmithing, bakery and others for the benefit of the prisoners.