By Naomi Komeh
As part of efforts to decongest the country’s prisons to conform with international standards, specifically the Nelson Mandela rules, the Ministry of the Interior has constructed a Remand facility at the Nsawam Medium Prisons to accommodate persons on remand as well as prevent the spread of communicable diseases among inmates.
This was disclosed in a message from the Minister for the Interior, Ambrose Dery at the launch of the Ghana Prisons Reform Project in Accra.
Naomi Komeh reports that the Prisons Reform Project is a collaboration between the United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, UNODC and the US Embassy.
Madam Adelaide Annor-Kumi said the project will go a long way to help improve recent prison conditions and also equip the Officers with requisite skills to conform to international standards.
The Focal Person for ‘Prison Reform, UNODC’, Philip Meissner said the new partnership with the Prisons Service will help strengthen compliance with international standards that are captured in the Nelson Mandela rules.
Mr. Meissner said they are engaged with more than 50 member states to help mitigate covid-19 in the prisons.
Director-General of the Prisons Service, Isaac Egyir said it is necessary to ensure that Prison Officers are abreast of international standards and to know more of the Nelson Mandela rule. This he said will also enhance the capacity of the Officers at ensuring the proper management of inmates.
