EX-CONVICT URGE GOVERNMENT TO HELP INTEGRATE PRISONERS

An ex-convict turned teacher is calling on the government to address the issue of integrating them back into the society because they have challenges getting back to normal life after serving their sentence.
Benjamin Raphael is an ex-convict who spent six years behind bars and he tells Adom News most ex-convicts find it very difficult to live a ‘normal’ life especially because their families are not ready to support them.
He thinks Ghana Prison Service should set up ex-convicts association for ex-convicts to be properly reintegrated into society and monitored.

Another ex-convict Nana Kwame Fynn who spent over five years behind bars suggested that the government should pay attention to them because due to the hard conditions in the country they are also tempted to go back to their old ways.
Nana Kwame Fynn spoke with Adom news.

It has come to light that Ex-convicts have invaded Abossey Okai and other parts of Accra.
But the Police Divisional Commander for Kaneshie, Chief Supt. Avadechi says the police have a duty to monitor ex-convicts but they do not know the exact figures of ex-convicts and where they are in Ghana right now.
Chief Public Relations Officer of Ghana Prison Service, ASP Courage Akyem tells Adom News the duty of the service to prisoners end when they are released and it is the duty of the Social Welfare Department to reintegrate them into society.
Acting Director of Social Welfare Department, Mr. Stephen Adongo tells Adom News the department has documented plans to reintegrate ex-convicts but has no resources to implement them.
Mr. Adongo says the department does not have money and the personnel to carry out the reintegration programmes for Ex-convicts.
He says the budgetary allocation for the Department last year was GHC213,178.30, which is woefully inadequate for their mainstream operations let alone reintegrating ex-convicts into society.

Mr. Adongo also blames the family members of the Ex-convicts for refusing to accept them, and that causes the ex-convicts to return to their old ways.
He says Social Welfare will soon embark on educational campaign for the family members to accept the people who have finished serving their prison sentences.