Security foils attempted jailbreak

Accra, April 17, GNA - Security Forces at the James Fort Remand Prison foiled an attempted jailbreak by mainly narcotic drug related suspects on remand a fortnight ago.

"The jailbreak was hatched by over 100 narcotic suspects, including Ghanaians, Nigerians, Canadians and other citizens from the sub-region," Mr Alhassan Legibo, Deputy Director of Prisons Service in-Charge of the James Fort disclosed in Accra on Tuesday.

He explained that the inmates through their collaborators engaged the services of gangs who were to attack the Fort, cause commotion and during the melee let loose their men.

Mr Legibo, who was briefing newsmen during a tour by the Minister of the Interior, Mr Ken Dapaah, Sheikh Isaac C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minister and other senior officials of the Service called for the fortification of the Fort.

During a tour, newsmen and the Ministers were astonished at the level of deterioration, as electrical wires were seen dangling on the building with cracks on the walls whiles erosion was weakening the foundation.

Giving statistics, Mr Legibo said the Fort with a limited capacity for 450 now housed 966 inmates with a breakdown of 932 on remand, 14 convicted, 14 on transit and six who were classified as lodgers. The inmate's share in turns a malfunctioning 16-stand shower, a horrific kitchen, and a dilapidated toilet facility.

Sheikh Quaye urged the inmates to be law abiding as the government through the law enforcement agencies would ensure a speedy trial. Assuring the inmates not to despair as some notable great men and women had once served in a prison, he said, "I have been here for close to 12 years before but now I am a Minister, don't give up make use of your time here and look up to the Lord."

He shared the concern of the inmates noting that the cells were not good for human habitation.

The Regional Minister also appealed to the inmates to give up any idea of escaping as the consequences would be fatal, adding, 93Be patient for the due process of the law". 17 April 07