Adopt alternatives to custodial sentences

The Chairman of the Prisons Council, Mr. Charles Ashitey Adjei, has noted that the continual imprisonment of offenders was not serving society in any positive way.

He said the prisons must aim at reforming the culprits to fit adequately into the society after
their release.

Mr. Adjei said these at the inauguration of the 10-member Western Regional Prisons Committee at Sekondi on Friday.

Six out of the seven-members of the National Prisons Council witnessed the inauguration.

He said the formation of the committee was meant to ensure effective reformation of the prisoners and assist them to re-integrate into the society.

The Western Regional Minister Mr. Anthony E. Amoah said there was the need for operation and collaboration among the various stakeholders to ensure that the best is achieved for the region.

He urged them to work hard as a team by discharging their duties effectively.

Mr. Amoah urged them to avoid politicising all issues but rather adopt strategies that would assist them to improve and manage the Prison Service.

Mr. Amoah noted that overcrowding leading to health hazards, long remand cases, among others, needs careful attention.

He suggested that some inmates could be made to undertake community service as part of decongesting the prisons.

Mr. Amoah reminded the committee to focus their attention on the welfare of the members of staff to boost their morale.

Justice Robin Batu, supervising high court judge, swore in the committee members.

Source: GNA