Building a Better System: Ghana Prison Service prioritizes compliance with Nelson Mandela Rules

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS), has procured vital medical equipment as part of a three-year prison project focused on strengthening the compliance of the GPS with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (also known as the ‘Nelson Mandela Rules’).

Given the challenges faced by the GPS in meeting these standards, UNODC is actively engaged in supporting the service in various areas. This includes enhancing capacity of prison staff, improving facilities, providing healthcare services, and enhancing rehabilitation pathways. By addressing these areas, the project aims to benefit not only prisoners but also the whole of Ghanaian society, ultimately contributing to making it a safer nation.

At the handover ceremony, the Minister of Interior of Ghana, Ambrose Dery, emphasized the importance of working in partnership:

‘The collaboration between UNODC and the Ghana Prisons Service exemplifies the commitment to enhance the quality of healthcare in prisons, ensuring that prisoners receive the same level of care as those in the outside community.’

Training

Alongside this logistical support, UNODC has organized a series of three week-long training workshops in 2023. These workshops were specifically designed for trainers, with the aim of equipping officers from every prison in Ghana with the necessary skills and knowledge in health promotion, disease prevention, drug treatment, and mental health.

‘By providing vital medical equipment to prisons, we are upholding the right to healthcare for all individuals, even those incarcerated, and working towards a more compassionate and just society’, noted Mr. Isaac Egyir, Director-General of Prisons of Ghana.

The wider picture

This three-year project incorporated a broader set of objectives aimed at enhancing overall standards and practices within the Ghanaian prison system. These objectives included a comprehensive training program on the Nelson Mandela Rules which focused on both understanding the details of the rules and implementing them effectively. This training also entailed a revised approach  to the classification of prisoners.

In addition, the project provided support for the infrastructure improvements required to facilitate its implementation. A thorough assessment of the current state of prisons was conducted, leading to the development of sustainable prison-based rehabilitation programmes.

The impact of UNODC's involvement has been recognized by Superintendent Adamu Latif Abdul of Ghana's Prison Service. He acknowledged personal growth in his knowledge, professional outlook, and approach to work as a result of UNODC's support. Moreover, he highlighted:

‘UNODC’s efforts are helping to bring the Ghanaian prison system up to the level where we can compare ourselves to other advanced jurisdictions in terms of best practices." Read ahead.