By Emmanuel Boateng Agyemfra.
The Ghana Prisons Service as a key stakeholder of the Criminal Justice System of Ghana contributes to the maintenance of internal security by managing an efficient, humane, and safe reformatory penal system operated within the laws of Ghana. www.ghanaprisons.gov.gh
The welfare of the Ghanaian Prison Officer is the backbone of our criminal justice system. The dedication and exhibition of morale; even amid the storms make them the unsung heroes who keep our country safe from miscreants. Ghanaian Prison Officers respect and abide by the Oath of Duty taken at their prestigious Prison Officers Training School, so in the event of being orphaned, they still go all out to brace against the odds to enhance internal security.
It is high time the welfare and well-being narratives shift a little bit from the prison inmates to the Officers who ensure the welfare of the Inmates. A mentally and physically sound Prison Officer is a sure way to achieving an equally sound inmate. Behind the uniform is a father, a mother, a brother, and a sister who sacrifices their own comfort and safety for the sake of others.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has a document on the Standard 122 Minimum Rules for The Treatment of Prisoners. In as much as this UN-sanctioned document seeks the betterment of prison inmates, I am still surprised at why there is not a single document seeking the well-being of the Wardens who are going to enforce these rules. It is again time for the United Nations to prioritize the welfare and value of officers to see a balance in the campaign for equal human rights. The UN should put an icing on the cake by logistically equipping the officers with modern tools to achieve their core mandates.
Details
This piece seeks to honor the service and dedication of Prison Officers by supporting their welfare and recognizing their value.
Health and Wellbeing of Officers
The gallant officers play a crucial role in maintaining public safety but their own health and well-being often go unaddressed. The 24-hour job is very demanding and usually leads to Chronic fatigue, Anxiety and depression, Exposure to infectious/contagious diseases, Limited access to mental health resources, and a High level of Stress level.
It is essential to prioritize the health and well-being of officers as they go about their rigorous duties to get the best out of them, as it stands, the prison service can only boast of Infirmaries and Clinics which mostly serve inmates and their health needs. The construction of Prisons Hospitals and health centers in the regional capitals will bridge the big gap in assessing proper health care delivery for both officers and their dependents.
Again, health care and well-being could also be managed through Access to mental services like setting up Counselling Units solely for Officers, and organizing distressing events to ease and while away the burdens off their shoulders.
Mortgages
Prison Officers often face financial challenges in securing mortgages due to their perceived limited credit history. However, many of these gallant men and women, right from the Training School desire to own houses before retirement. To address this and make life a bit comfortable for these men and women who go all out to face what society runs away from; special programs such as Lower interest rates and fees, Longer repayment periods and Flexible Credit Scoring should be brought to bear.
Real Estate Companies and Financial Institutions should partner with the Ghana Prisons Service to bring on board accessible mortgage options that will help Prison Officers achieve homeownership, build wealth, and secure a comfortable retirement, recognizing their dedication and service to public safety.
Escorting of Prison Inmates
Escorting of Prisoners in Ghana poses several risks to prison officers who, with little or no logistics have no option but to deliver their maximum best to ensure public safety. This is a technical area where Prison Officers are to be well equipped and their welfare is given maximum attention. While escorting prison inmates to courts, hospitals, and other prison facilities, Officers may be attacked or injured by violent prisoners during the transport.
Again, Officers may be exposed to infectious diseases or bodily fluids during transportation of inmates; especially to the health facilities. Prison Officers should be shielded against these high health risks by the payment of Infectious/Contagious disease allowance to boost the morale of these gallant men and women.
Escorting of prison inmates calls for standard and well-equipped security vehicles that will make it impossible for inmates to jump out or an intruder to come on to aid escapes. The lack of and insufficient standard operational vehicles has encouraged improvising which is dangerous and puts both officers and the public at the mercy of the Lord Most High.
Shift System and Staff Rationalization
Thankfully, the government and successive governments have done well by increasing the staff strength of the noble service. At this point, I humbly and respectfully suggest that the authorities take a second look at the shift system and consider a staff rationalization policy that would not affect security; to save the gallant officers from Stress, High Blood Pressure, Low Blood Pressure, and also ease the economic constraints burdens on them.
Prison Officers are the unsung heroes of our Criminal Justice System in Ghana working tirelessly to ensure the Safe Custody of inmates, Reformation, Welfare, and Rehabilitation of inmates. They need the support of government, NGOs, CSOs et al to prioritize their welfare, celebrate their successes, and recognize their worth and value as human beings and professionals.
The writer is a Development Communicator and can be contacted at agyenfra43@gmail.com/+233-249542342
