Commander of prisons calls on officers to be duty conscious and vigilant

The Northern Regional Commander of Ghana Prison Service, ACP Abundant Robert Awolugutu has called on officers of the service to be duty conscious and vigilant in discharging their duties.  He remaindered the officers of their duty to prevent prisoners from escaping from lawful custody hence the need for closer supervision of inmates at all times, regular inspections of cells and engaging the inmates with useful activities that focus on their personal development. ACP Abundant Robert made this call during a general durbar held the service within the Northern region.  The Ghana Prison Service has the constitutional mandate of ensuring the safety of inmates, execution of sentences in a humane manner, protection of their rights and ensuring their reformation and rehabilitation by offering them opportunities to develop their skills. The commander however indicated that as a result of inadequate funds it’s a challenge for for the institution to discharge its duties assiduously. Among the reasons for the durbar is to enable officers rededicate their efforts and channel their energies towards their core mandate stipulated by the constitution instrument establishing the service. The Commander stressed the need for a fair treatment of prisoners since they equally have rights as any individual and must be treated with dignity. This he said officers must ensure that these rights are protected. He therefore sounded a word of caution to the officers to desist from maltreating the prisoners, for when caught they will face service enquiry and appropriate disciplinary action.

Source Ramatu Alhassan