Challenges Associated with Prisoner Intervention Programmes in Ghana: Case Studies of the Nsawam Medium Security Prison and the Nsawam Female Prison

Abstract

Although prison inmates are often seen as burdens on society, as their criminal activity has made them unproductive citizens, rehabilitation programmes within prisons give inmates the ability to become productive citizens upon their release. Such programmes, which focus on providing inmates with skills and knowledge, have the potential to greatly affect their integration back into society post-release, thus decreasing the likelihood that they will commit similar crimes in the future. However, because of limited resources allocated towards prisoner intervention programmes on the part of governments and other external funders, there are many obstacles facing the potential success of such initiatives. This study examines prisoner intervention programmes by examining the challenges from the perspective of the guards and the inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security Prison and the Nsawam Female Prison. The key findings from the study were presented in themes which included the Harnessing of External Support and Knowledge, Encouraging Internal Support and Knowledge, Increasing Program Funding, Formalizing and Solidifying Partnerships, and Focusing on the Modifications of Prisoner Behaviours and Attitudes. Based on an analysis of qualitative interviews, the study concludes with recommendations for policy makers and stakeholders, which focused on enhancing existing prisoner rehabilitation programming and networking to sustain their success.