PRISONS AS AN INSTITUTION FOR REFORMING CRIMINALS IN GHANA: THE CASE OE TAMALE CENTRAL PRISONS

Abstract

The prison system in Ghana is devilled with some challenges with regards to their mandate of reforming criminals. There is gap in knowledge regarding the role of the Tamale Central Prisons as an institution for reforming criminals. The main objective of this study was therefore to assess the Tamale Central Prisons as an institution for reforming criminals in Ghana. The study adopted a cross sectional study design whereby only a cross section or the prison inmates was selected. A sample size of 150 prison inmates was randomly selected for this study. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered for this study with questionnaire, interview guide and observation being the main instruments and process of data collection. Data gathered was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Product for Service Solution (SPSS v.16) and descriptive statistics such as cross tabulation, frequencies and percentages were used to summarize and display the findings of the study which was presented with the aid of tables. The study disclosed that formal education, skill development training, ICT education among others were the main efforts directed at reforming criminals in the TCP. The policy of Amnesty and remission system were identified as key policies positively impacting the reformation of criminals at the TCP whereas overcrowding and dwindling budgetary allocation were also identified as main challenges confronting the TCP as an institution for reforming criminals. The study recommends the relocation of the TCP in the long term to moderately address the issues of overcrowding and the deepening of government commitment to reformation of criminals through adequate budget allocation.