Ashanti Regional Prisons Service Calls for Increased Support to Address Congestion and Feeding Challenges

The Ashanti Regional Prisons Service is taking measures to alleviate overcrowding and feeding challenges in its facilities.

With significant infrastructure deficits and insufficient feeding allowances for inmates, the Acting Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Kumasi Central Prisons, CSP Tachie Kofi, has outlined a strategy to ease the strain.

The approach involves relocating inmates to farming stations and camps, not only reducing the pressure on prison resources but also providing inmates with productive activities.

The Ghana Prisons Service has long raised concerns about overcrowding and feeding issues, which pose serious health risks. Despite ongoing efforts by successive governments to address these challenges, they remain persistent problems.

At the Kumasi Central Prison, the situation is dire, with nearly 2,000 inmates housed in facilities originally designed for only 500.

CSP Tachie Kofi explained that in response to the overcrowding, the prison has begun relocating inmates to farming stations to ease congestion and grow food that can supplement the inadequate feeding allowance.

He also appealed to the public for support, addressing misconceptions that prison officers misappropriate donated goods. “I want to appeal to individuals, religious bodies, and organizations that our doors are open. Anyone with donations is welcome to help. The aim is to complement the government’s provisions for inmates,” he said.

With overcrowding continuing to be a pressing issue, CSP Tachie Kofi highlighted that Kumasi Central Prison is currently holding 1,572 inmates, far exceeding its capacity of 500.