Madam Betty Bosomtwi-Sam, Deputy Western Regional Minister, on Friday called on the Regional Prisons Committee to urgently seek ways and means on how to decongest prisons in the Region.
"You are no doubt aware of the problem of overcrowding in our prisons, leading to very deplorable state for the inmates and which often pose serious hazards to them."
She made the call at the inauguration of the 12-member re-constituted Regional Prisons Committee at Sekondi.
Mr. Robin Batu, Supervising High Court Judge, administered oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy to the members.
Madam Bosomtwi-Sam said the committee must consider whether it was always necessary for the courts to give custodial sentences instead of
committing convicts to other forms of sentencing.
She said innovative proposals were needed from the committee if the prisons system is to be seen as reformatory rather meting punitive and
retributive.
Madam Bosomtwi-Sam urged members of the committee to exhibit a high sense of commitment and dedication to enable them achieve the best for the prisons and Prisons Service in the region.
Air Marshall James Amissah-Bruce, Chairman of the Prisons Service Council who inaugurated the committee, said Regional Prisons Committees are to support the council to transform the country's prisons into reformative institutions.
He said the Council is committed to ensuring some reforms in the prisons that would lead to the introduction of various initiatives such as
formal and informal education and work skills.
Air Marshall Amissah-Bruce said: "Our objectives are to help make the reintegration of prisoners back into society meaningful and the primary and principal purpose of the prisons is to serve as reformation centres to rehabilitate prisoners rather than harden them".
He said the numerous challenges facing the prisons are deplorable infrastructure, the overcrowding and the general despicable conditions, among others.
Air Marshall Amissah-Bruce asked members of the regional committee to work as a team to effectively address these challenges facing the prisons in the region.
"Let us work together to "add value" to prison life and support the Prisons Service in its efforts to make persons out of our brothers and sisters who unfortunately find their way into the prisons", he said.