Chairman Wontumi notes that his incarceration has been a period of deep reflection. He has had first-hand interaction with prison officers, inmates, and the conditions under which the Ghana Prison Service operates - a system he says has seen little structural improvement since 1962.
He emphasizes that "Not all prisoners are prisoners" and that our correctional system must move from punishment to true reform, welfare and productivity.
His detailed observations and appeals:
1. Prison Officers' Welfare and Pay
Calls on government to urgently review pay, accommodation and conditions of service for prison officers.
2. Dedicated Prison Hospital
No dedicated, well-equipped prison hospital, no ambulance, no standby generator in many prisons. Seriously sick inmates with terminal illnesses including tuberculosis are managed under difficult conditions. He calls for construction of a dedicated, ultra-modern Prison Hospital for all facilities, and in the interim, emergency linkage with 37 Military Hospital and Police Hospital.
3. Classification of Inmates
Minor offenders sleep with armed robbery convicts. Persons on trial for treason and terrorism are mixed with ordinary inmates - a security risk.
4. Youth, Defilement and Behavioural Concern
Majority are young men 18-35 years for defilement cases. He observes that due to prolonged incarceration and lack of counselling, these cases often end up engaging in same-sex activities and becoming gays and lesbians within prison. Calls for proper classification and counselling.
5. Family and Conjugal Visitation
Calls for a dedicated private area for spouses and children to visit. It is the prisoner who is in prison, not the children or spouse. Regulated visitation for love and intimacy will reduce tension, preserve marriages and aid reformation.
6. Overcrowding and Infectious Diseases
Inmates with tuberculosis sleep with healthy inmates.
7. LGBTQI+ Management
Calls for clear policy direction on LGBTQI+ classification.
8. Prison Agriculture
Service has vast lands and skilled labour but only one tractor for food and garbage. Pleads with Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support prison farms.
9. Justice Sector Collaboration
Regional Prison Commanders should be included in jury and justice deliberations because "the real job begins after judgement."
10. Infrastructure
Since 1962 little investment apart from pure water production. Calls on government and private sector to build ultra-modern facilities and factories.
11. Parliamentary Involvement - Key to Reform:
Chairman Wontumi makes a special appeal to Parliament of Ghana for these changes to happen. He calls on:
1.The Speaker of Parliament to lead the conversation on prison reform as a matter of human rights and national development.
2.The Majority Caucus and Minority Caucus to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass a new Prison Reform Act, approve budgetary allocation for a dedicated Prison Hospital, ambulance service, generators, and agricultural equipment.
3.The Parliamentary Select Committees on Defence and Interior, Health, and Food and Agriculture to pay working visits to prisons across the country to see conditions firsthand.
He believes that without Parliament - Majority and Minority working together with the Speaker - the needed legal and budgetary reforms cannot happen.
12. Continental Lesson
African prisons must change - even the name must change. Ghana can lead Africa.
βAt this experience since July 20th till date, prison doesn't reform as it should be. I pray that the entire Africa will learn from Ghana."
Appeal:
Chairman Wontumi respectfully appeals to the Speaker, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Attorney General, Chief Justice and Government to prioritize prison welfare.
He remains in high spirits.
Dr. Palgrave Boakye-Danquah
Spokesperson to Chairman Wontumi
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