This is an opinion article researched and written by Desmond Nana Akuoko Bress-Biney and S. Adom Anorkwah published here by AFENYA MEDIA without any additions or omissions.
Introduction
Ghana’s prison system is in urgent need of reform. The Ghana Prisons Service, in its 2022 report, revealed that the inmate population had surged to 14,097, significantly exceeding the national authorized capacity of 9,945. Overcrowding remains a chronic issue, placing enormous pressure on resources and leading to deteriorating conditions for both inmates and staff. Currently, Ghana’s correctional system is largely punitive, with minimal emphasis on rehabilitation or economic productivity. This approach not only drains state resources but also contributes to high recidivism rates as former inmates struggle to reintegrate into society. Intrinsically, the nature of criminal justice lies in the essence of societal welfare, whether from the perspective of the offender or the rest of society. As such, the rationale executing state-sanctioned coercion requires a level of validation that promotes the welfare of offenders in custody and post custody.
As a matter of fact, legal principles governing punishment with heavy reliance on Jeremy Bentham’s concept of Utilitarianism embrace reformation and rehabilitation. As such, the state must consciously initiate efforts towards transforming offenders into suitable individuals for a smooth reintegration into society after prison terms. The laws of Ghana, specifically section 1 of the Prisons Service Act 1972 (NRCD 46) states that “it shall be the duty of the Prisons Service to undertake reformation and rehabilitation of prisoners”. Re-echoed in the case Abu v. Republic (1980), Ghana Law Report 294, the court posited that “the rehabilitative principle in sentencing seems to be aimed at rehabilitating persons who have gone astray and who seem to have personality deficiencies inclining them to a life of crime but who have nevertheless revealed tendencies conducive to reformation”.
A transformative solution lies in the development of prison enterprises – structured programs that engage inmates in meaningful work, vocational training, and revenue-generating activities. This model has been successfully implemented in countries such as Norway, Zambia, the United States, and Germany, demonstrating its potential to reduce recidivism, generate economic value, and improve prison conditions. If properly implemented, prison enterprises could become a significant force in addressing Ghana’s infrastructural deficit while transforming correctional facilities into centers of economic productivity.
The effectiveness of prison enterprises in Ghana hinges on a data-driven understanding of the current prison workforce, recidivism rates, and vocational training programs. According to research, Ghana’s recidivism rate stands at approximately 24%, highlighting the urgent need for structured rehabilitation efforts. The Ghana Prisons Service has implemented vocational and technical training programs in various facilities, offering skills such as tailoring, auto mechanics, baking, shoemaking, kente weaving, soap making, and bead making. However, access remains limited, affecting the reintegration prospects of many inmates. The Nsawam Medium Security Prison, one of Ghana’s largest correctional facilities, has introduced small-scale agricultural and carpentry programs but faces resource constraints in expanding these initiatives nationwide. Scaling structured vocational enterprises across all prison facilities could enhance rehabilitation efforts while alleviating the financial burden of inmate upkeep. Collaborative efforts with institutions such as the Ghana Prisons Service and entrepreneurship-focused organizations have already shown promise in equipping inmates with employable skills. By strengthening these partnerships, Ghana can develop a sustainable prison enterprise model that fosters economic self-sufficiency and social reintegration.
The Economic and Social Justification for Prison Enterprises
According to reports from the Ghana Prisons Service, the government allocates funds for inmate welfare, including food, medical care, and operational costs. Yet, despite this expenditure, recidivism rates remain high due to a lack of structured rehabilitation programs. Instead of maintaining a system that drains resources, Ghana can turn its prisons into engines of economic productivity by introducing structured prison industries that contribute to national development. Studies on prison labour initiatives in Zambia and Kenya indicate that engaging inmates in agriculture and vocational industries has the potential to reduce operational expenses and generate revenue. For instance, Zambia’s Correctional Service has implemented large-scale prison farms that contribute to food self-sufficiency within the prison system.
If Ghana were to allocate 1,000 acres per region for prison agriculture, assuming an average maize yield of approximately 2.5 – 3 tonnes per acre based on data from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA, 2022), total annual production could exceed 48,000 tonnes nationwide. While specific feasibility studies on the impact of prison agriculture in Ghana are limited, agricultural experts suggest that such an initiative could reduce reliance on external food procurement for prisons, potentially lowering food costs depending on operational efficiency and investment in farming infrastructure. Similarly, studies on correctional labour programs in developing countries suggest that employing inmates in controlled public infrastructure projects could contribute to cost reductions while providing skill development opportunities. However, implementing such initiatives in Ghana would require a structured financial model assessing labour value, production costs, and reinvestment opportunities, as well as a comprehensive feasibility study to evaluate economic, ethical, and legal considerations. Alignment with international labour standards and human rights principles would be crucial to ensuring that such programs provide rehabilitation benefits while remaining financially sustainable.
Furthermore, prison enterprises have proven to be successful. The Federal Prison Industries (UNICOR) program in the United States generates over $500 million annually by employing inmates in manufacturing and service provision for government agencies. For instance, in the 2019 fiscal year, UNICOR generated approximately $531 million in revenue. Zambia has leveraged its prison farms to reduce food insecurity within correctional facilities while supplying surplus produce to local markets. Zambia prison has 38 farms nationwide, producing approximately 3,500 tonnes of maize annually. Furthermore, Norway’s rehabilitative prison model ensures that inmates are paid a subscribed wage for their work, allowing them to save for reintegration upon release. For instance, at Halden Prison, inmates receive an incentive of 53 kroner (approximately $9 or GHS139.50) per day to participate in activities outside their cells. Ghana can adapt these models to fit local needs and priorities.
Utilizing Inmate Labour for Infrastructure Development
The government can leverage the skills of a substantial portion of Ghana’s prison population, many of whom can be trained in trades such as masonry, carpentry, plumbing, welding, and more. By providing structured training opportunities for inmates in these areas, the government can not only help bridge the gap in infrastructure development but also allow inmates to contribute to the construction of schools, government buildings, health facilities, and roads. This approach would reduce the costs of infrastructure projects while providing prisoners with practical work experience that aids in their rehabilitation. To ensure fairness and prevent exploitation, a structured wage system should be implemented. Inmates could receive 50% of the market wage, with half of their earnings allocated for family support and the remainder saved in a trust fund for post-release reintegration. This model not only provides financial support for dependents but also ensures that former inmates have startup capital to rebuild their lives upon release.
Agricultural Initiatives to Boost Food Security and Revenue
Agriculture aligns well with Ghana’s economic priorities. A well-structured prison agricultural program could significantly contribute to food security while reducing government expenditure on inmate maintenance. If each of Ghana’s 16 regions allocated 1,000 acres of farmland for inmate cultivation, substantial economic value could be generated.
Each region could focus on key crops such as maize, tomatoes, onions, cassava, and groundnuts, ensuring year-round production through irrigation and modern farming techniques. While paying inmates 50% of the market wage, some proceeds could be allocated to local community development and the government, out of which government can use part of the proceeds to developed prisons with better sleeping conditions. This revenue-sharing model not only ensures sustainability but also fosters collaboration between prisons, local authorities, and agribusinesses. Additionally, Ghana could enhance this model by introducing agro-processing units within prisons, allowing inmates to produce finished food products for commercial distribution. This would add value to raw agricultural produce, creating additional streams of revenue and employment for not just inmates, but the entire community.
By Desmond Nana Akuoko Bress-Biney
Sustainable Business and Development Consultant
AdvD|BBA|IIM-PM|MSc
Ghana-USA
- Adom Anorkwah
Sustainability Practitioner
BA, MSc, LLB Candidate
Accra, Ghana