Protecting and reforming inmates not an easy task - Western Regional Minister lauds prison service

The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has acknowledged the huge responsibility being placed on officials of the prisons service to reform inmates and keep security of the various prisons across the country highly tight

He said the challenges that accompany this responsibility, cannot be underestimated due to the crimes associated with convicts.

"The job of keeping inmates safe as a way of protecting them, and also reforming them is not a small responsibility", Joseph Nelson said.

Addressing the prisons service command, as part of his visit to security installations in the region to familiarise himself with their operations, Minister Nelson said it was necessary for the service to continue to maintain high standards in the discharge of their duties.

He appealed to the officers to commit themselves to protecting the lives of inmates, reforming them, and guarding the Ghanaian society against all forms of security threats.

"Against all the odds, you have flagged some of the challenges you are faced with in discharging your responsibility", he noted.

As chairman of Regional Security Council (REGSEC) he assured the service command of his unflinching support to their operations while urging them to collaborate with all other key stakeholders within the security architecture to deal with crime in the region.

He lauded the command for being able to handle over one thousand prisoners in the region currently under their control. "These are significant challenges. I believe that you have done well"

The main prison at Sekondi-Takoradi, constructed in 1902 by the colonial government currently has Six hundred and twelve (612) inmates.

The Western Region in general currently has one thousand, one hundred and forty two (1,142) inmates according to the command.

Deputy Director of the Prisons, Abraham Allotey, who briefed the Minister about their operations and challenges, acknowledged strives made over the years to improve service delivery.

"We are doing our best as part of the security apparatus. I can say, so far, so good, we have done our best.

We can't say that everything is luxury, we are doing our best"

Regarding the traditional role being played by the sector command to improve the lives of prisoners, he said

"We are also trying to reform them in various ways"

According to the Deputy Director, the service has been taking inmates through educational training programmes, tailoring, religious affairs, and lately carpentry.

For the carpentry, he said the service will require necessary working machinery to assist them train the inmates properly.