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22nd May, 2010
Shortage Of Prison Uniforms?
Uniforms for prisoners at the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons are in short supply due to the scarcity of calico, a grey baft used in its production.
As result of the shortage, prisoners on remand wear their own house attire and can hardly be identified in the midst of visitors.
This came to light when the Times visited the prison during a decongestion exercise dubbed “Justice for all,” organized by the Judiciary Service in Accra.
A source close to the Prisons Service who disclosed this to the Times, stated that “supplies of the uniforms have not been regular for some time now”.
The source said “the Prisons have two different uniforms, the blue shirt and shorts and the calico with the Black Star symbols printed on them.”
It said “authorities have assured us that as and when the calico is available the uniforms would be sown for us.”
The source however, explained that prisoners sent out for outside work wore the blue uniform in order to be identified.
The Times also observed some categories of prisoners in blue uniforms assigning duties to their colleagues and upon enquiry, it was explained that those were prisoners who had exhibited good behaviour over the years and had been in prison for over four years.
It was also revealed that, such categories of prisoners had the "liberty" to do some menial jobs like shoe polishing for prison officers and others who visited the prisons.
As result of the shortage, prisoners on remand wear their own house attire and can hardly be identified in the midst of visitors.
This came to light when the Times visited the prison during a decongestion exercise dubbed “Justice for all,” organized by the Judiciary Service in Accra.
A source close to the Prisons Service who disclosed this to the Times, stated that “supplies of the uniforms have not been regular for some time now”.
The source said “the Prisons have two different uniforms, the blue shirt and shorts and the calico with the Black Star symbols printed on them.”
It said “authorities have assured us that as and when the calico is available the uniforms would be sown for us.”
The source however, explained that prisoners sent out for outside work wore the blue uniform in order to be identified.
The Times also observed some categories of prisoners in blue uniforms assigning duties to their colleagues and upon enquiry, it was explained that those were prisoners who had exhibited good behaviour over the years and had been in prison for over four years.
It was also revealed that, such categories of prisoners had the "liberty" to do some menial jobs like shoe polishing for prison officers and others who visited the prisons.
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