Wa Central Prisons cries for help

Facilities at the Wa Central Prisons are in a deplorable state thus threatening the wellbeing and safety of inmates.

The problems include insanitary conditions, dilapidated buildings, lack of equipment, and inadequate workshops to train inmates in various vocations to aid their reformation.

Assistant Commissioner of Prisons (ACP) Mr. Victor Douchebe, the Upper West Regional Commander of the Wa Central Prisons, had told the Upper West Regional Minister, Alhaji Amin Amidu Sulemana, when he visited the Prison to gain first-hand information about the conditions there.

ACP Douchebe stated that the facilities at the Prisons did not befit the status of a major prison and appealed to Alhaji Sulemana to help improve the conditions.

He said the Wa Central Prisons was established in 1920 with 15 inmates, has since not seen any renovation works.

The Prisons with nine cells and five offices, was originally meant to accommodate 130 inmates, but currently it houses 207 inmates.

ACP Douchebe said there was congestion because there were 20 to 30 inmates in each cell.

Alhaji Sulemana, who expressed concern about the conditions, said the government would work towards making life a bit comfortable for the inmates.

The Regional Minister said it was sad that many of the inmates were in their productive years and appealed to the youth to stay away from crime and take advantage of the opportunities the government had created to become useful to society.

Mr. Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), who accompanied the Minister, lauded the officers for the efforts being made to educate the inmates.

The MCE, therefore, pledged to provide them with an extra canopy and furniture to eliminate the shift system being run by the school due to inadequate facilities.