High choice of formative years at the back of bars is a countrywide loss – Ashanti regional prisons commander – Life Pulse Daily
Editor-in-chiefJanuary 1, 20265 Mins read67
Youth Incarceration Crisis: A National Loss for Ghana’s Future
Introduction
The alarming rate at which young people are entering the correctional system in Ghana has been flagged as a critical threat to the nation’s development. According to the Ashanti Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service, the high volume of youth behind bars represents a significant drain on the country’s human capital. This article explores the commander’s urgent call to action, the underlying causes of youth crime, and the necessary steps to shift from punishment to rehabilitation.
Key Points
- Demographic Crisis: Approximately 70% to 80% of inmates at the Kumasi Central Prison are between the ages of 20 and 35.
- National Loss: Ing. James B. Mwinyelle describes the trend as a “national loss” regarding Ghana’s growth milestones.
- Societal Failure: The high incarceration rate is viewed as a symptom of failing family and societal support systems.
- Need for Holistic Support: The commander emphasizes that support must go beyond food donations to include counseling and mentorship.
- Collective Responsibility: Reducing youth incarceration requires a coordinated effort from NGOs, religious bodies, and traditional leaders.
Background
The Current State of Youth in Ghanaian Prisons
The Ghana Prisons Service has long faced challenges regarding overcrowding and resource constraints. However, the demographic composition of the inmate population is perhaps the most concerning aspect. Data released by the Ashanti Regional Command indicates a disproportionate number of young men and women are serving time. Specifically, statistics from the Kumasi Central Prison reveal that between 70% and 80% of the population falls within the 20 to 35 age bracket.
This demographic represents the most productive segment of any workforce. When they are incarcerated, society loses their potential economic output, innovation, and family support structures. The situation has prompted regional leadership to speak out, not just to highlight the plight of inmates, but to warn of the broader implications for Ghana’s socio-economic stability.
Event Context: Choral Service and Exhibition
The warning was issued during a “Choral Service and Exhibition Show” organized at the Ashanti Regional Prison Headquarters in Adum. This event was a collaborative effort between the Time To Think Foundation and the EBAM Foundation. The program was designed to highlight the rehabilitation potential of inmates through musical performances, a health walk, and the exhibition of goods crafted by prisoners.
These events serve a dual purpose: they provide a platform for inmates to showcase their skills and rehabilitation progress, and they offer prison authorities a chance to engage with the public and stakeholders regarding the challenges they face.
Analysis
Interpreting “National Loss”
When Ing. James B. Mwinyelle refers to the high volume of youth incarceration as a “national loss,” he is framing the issue through an economic and developmental lens. In the context of Ghana’s growth milestones, human capital is the most valuable asset. The “formative years” (ages 20-35) are when individuals typically acquire skills, start businesses, and build families.
By diverting this energy into the prison system, the state incurs a “double loss”:
- The Cost of Incarceration: The state must spend scarce resources on feeding, housing, and guarding inmates.
- The Opportunity Cost: The state loses the tax revenue, labor, and social contributions these individuals would have made if they were productive members of society.
Societal Systems Failing the Youth
The commander explicitly stated that this trend indicates “broader societal techniques are failing the formative years.” This analysis points to root causes that extend beyond individual criminal choices. It suggests systemic issues such as:
- Lack of Mentorship: Many young people lack role models to guide them away from negative influences.
- Economic Hardship: High unemployment rates among youth often drive desperate individuals toward crime.
- Fragile Family Structures: The breakdown of family oversight leaves many adolescents vulnerable to peer pressure and gang recruitment.
Therefore, the prison population is not merely a collection of criminals, but a reflection of a society that has not adequately protected or guided its younger generation.
Practical Advice
Strategies for Prevention and Rehabilitation
To address the root causes of youth incarceration, Ing. Mwinyelle advocates for a shift in focus from reaction to prevention. Here are practical steps stakeholders can take:
1. Community-Based Mentorship Programs
Prevention starts at the community level. Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and religious bodies must establish formal mentorship programs. These programs should pair at-risk youth with successful professionals who can provide guidance, career advice, and moral support. The goal is to offer a viable alternative to the streets.
2. Strengthening NGO and Philanthropic Support
While the government has increased feeding rates for inmates, the prison service still struggles with basic necessities like sanitation items, particularly for female inmates who require specific care. NGOs and philanthropists should focus on:
- Infrastructure Support: Improving sanitation and living conditions.
- Resource Provision: Supplying educational materials and vocational training tools.
3. Moving Beyond Material Donations
The Deputy Director of Prisons emphasized that support must not be limited to physical donations. A critical gap exists in psychological support. Practical steps include:
- Intensive Counseling: Providing professional mental health support to address trauma and behavioral issues.
- Vocational Motivation: Motivating inmates to learn trades that will be useful upon release.
- Listening Sessions: Creating safe spaces where inmates can share their stories without judgment, helping them envision a future beyond prison walls.
4. Post-Release Integration
Rehabilitation is incomplete without reintegration. Society must be prepared to accept ex-convicts. Stakeholders should advocate for policies that reduce stigma and create employment opportunities for rehabilitated youth, thereby closing the revolving door of recidivism.
FAQ
What is the primary concern regarding the high number of youth in Ghanaian prisons?
The primary concern, as raised by the Ashanti Regional Commander, is that it represents a “national loss.” It depletes the country’s most productive human resource (ages 20-35) and signals that societal systems are failing to guide the youth toward positive contributions.
What percentage of inmates at Kumasi Central Prison are youth?
According to the reports cited by Ing. James B. Mwinyelle, approximately 70% to 80% of inmates at the Kumasi Central Prison fall within the 20 to 35 age demographic.
What kind of support do prisons need beyond food?
Beyond food and sanitation items, the prisons need support for counseling, mentorship, and motivation. The commander highlighted the need for people to sit with inmates, listen to their stories, and help them prepare for life after prison.
Who is responsible for solving this issue?
Ing. Mwinyelle emphasized that this is a collective responsibility. It requires a coordinated effort from families, faith-based organizations, civil society groups, traditional leaders, and the state.
What was the context of the commander’s statement?
The statement was made on the sidelines of a Choral Service and Exhibition Show organized by the Time To Think Foundation and EBAM Foundation at the Ashanti Regional Prison Headquarters in Adum.
Conclusion
The statement by the Ashanti Regional Prisons Commander serves as a stark wake-up call regarding the state of youth rehabilitation in Ghana. The fact that the majority of the prison population consists of young adults is not just a correctional issue, but a developmental emergency. It indicates that the current approach to crime is reactive rather than preventive. Addressing this “national loss” requires a paradigm shift. We must move beyond viewing these individuals solely as inmates and recognize them as lost potential that can be reclaimed. Through enhanced public education, robust mentorship, and holistic support that extends from the community to the prison cell, Ghana can redirect its youth toward becoming productive assets rather than a burden on the state.
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