The Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service, DDP James B. Mwinyelle (ING), says Ghana currently has about 14,000 inmates nationwide, with the Ashanti Region accounting for nearly 2,600 of that figure.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, the Commander disclosed that Kumasi Central Prison alone holds slightly less than 1,600 inmates.
“In terms of numbers, across the country we have around 14,000 inmates. At Kumasi Central, we have a little less than 1,600, and across the region, a little less than 2,600,” he stated.
He further revealed that between 10 and 15 percent of inmates nationwide are on remand. At Kumasi Central, a little over 200 inmates fall within that category.
According to him, prison authorities are collaborating with the Police and the Judiciary to reduce the remand population by ensuring that cases are determined promptly.
“We are working with the Police and the Judiciary so that their cases are determined whether they are in or they are out,” he explained.
The Regional Commander commended the Supervising High Court Judge in the Ashanti Region and his Police counterparts for their efforts, noting increased court movements involving remand inmates.
“There is a lot of movement at the remand block in terms of inmates going to court, and that is a good thing for us within the four walls of the prison. It helps them not to get too worried about their cases delaying so much,” he said.
He also indicated that during the last election, qualified inmates were allowed to vote, with Kumasi Central Prison serving as a polling station.
Source:
opemsuo.com