Community Sentencing Of Adult Non-Violent Offenders: Exploring Attitudes And Its Viability In The Accra Metropolis

Abstract

This study is predicated on the proposition that globally there is a shift from the hitherto emphasis on the retributive function of punishment to a restorative mode. This has informed a number of nations to subscribe to community service as an alternative to custodial sentencing for some non-violent offences. Ghana’s overemphasis on custodial sentencing has plunged it into some problems, as the nation’s prisons are unable to absorb the increasing number of offenders who are being incarcerated on a daily basis, consequently leading to overcrowding in the nation’s prisons. Other problems encountered by the nation as identified by some studies are recidivism and high cost in taking care of inmates. In view of these, the study sought to find out whether Ghanaians will favour the community sentencing of adult non-violent offenders over incarceration or not. A sample size of twenty four (24) was drawn from various stakeholders comprising the legal, judiciary, law enforcement, the legislature, traditional and religious sectors, an adult non-violent offender, victims of theft, officers from some government outfits and two people from the general public. In-depth interviews were carried out with this sample in order to fulfil the qualitative dimension of the study whereas one hundred and ninety (190) respondents constituted the sample size for the quantitative dimension. Results from both the qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed that most Ghanaians are in favour of the use of community service as a sentencing condition for adult nonviolent offenders within the Accra metropolis.