Rehabilitation in Ghana: Assessing Prison Conditions and Effectiveness of Interventions for Incarcerated Adults

Boakye, Kofi E.; Akoensi, Thomas D.; Baffour, Frank Darkwa

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-14375-5_12

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Reasons cited for drug use were boredom, stress and boosting appetite (Adu‐Gyamfi et al., 2020). Similar reasons, such as boredom, coping mechanisms, depression, harsh prison conditions and lack of meaningful activities, addiction, peer pressure and overcrowding have been found in other studies (Boakye et al, 2022; Rowell‐Cunsolo et al., 2016; Skowroński & Talik, 2018). Parimah et al.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…Similar reasons, such as boredom, coping mechanisms, depression, harsh prison conditions and lack of meaningful activities, addiction, peer pressure and overcrowding have been found in other studies (Boakye et al, 2022;Rowell-Cunsolo et al, 2016;Skowroński & Talik, 2018). Parimah et al (2020) found that prisoners convicted of possessing cannabis for personal use for the first time were likely to have used substances within the past 30 days; about a third had used cannabis and nearly one fifth had used other drugs.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

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Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators

Donnir

Asare-Doku

Boakye

2023

Criminal Behav Ment Health

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Background Research shows that the prevalence of substance use disorders among the prison population is high globally. Although prisons are highly controlled environments, access to drugs and other substances in prison remains a major problem. Yet, previous research is focussed mainly on the Western context, with the studies generally reporting on lifetime prevalence without reference to whether the disorders are manifest even within the controlled environment. Aims To estimate the prevalence of substance use disorders evident while in prison in Ghana and associated risk indicators. For these purposes, substance use disorder was defined by any indication of dependency, or escalating use or socially problematic use during the 12 months of imprisonment prior to the interview. Methods The study involved 500 adults (443 men and 57 women) in a medium‐security prison in Ghana who had served at least 1 year of a prison sentence. Participants' alcohol use disorder was assessed separately from other substance use disorders which included cannabis, cocaine and other stimulants using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI); it is a structured interview and diagnostic tool for major psychiatric and substance use disorders in DSM‐5 and ICD‐10. Results Two percent of the 500 participants had used alcohol to the level of alcohol use disorder, and 6% had other substance use disorders in 12 months prior to interview and while in prison. Cannabis (4%) and stimulants (3%) were the most frequently reported substance use disorders. Logistic regression model estimates indicate that younger age, prior offending and alcohol use dependence were significantly associated with such disorders in prison. Conclusion In spite of efforts to prevent substance use in prison, nearly one in 10 of these prisoners were using alcohol or illicit drugs to a level indicative of substance use disorders. Our findings suggest that prioritising brief assessment may help identify those in most need of clinical help to limit their alcohol and illicit substance use problems.

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Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 71%

Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators

Donnir

Asare-Doku

Boakye

2023

Criminal Behav Ment Health

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“…A recent study by Boakye et al (2022) highlighted the impact of limited resources and overreliance on colonial structures on prison overcrowding in Ghana and other parts of the continent. Similarly, Baffour (2021) suggested that the original ideology behind prison establishment in the region by the colonial administration was to control and punish, which sadly continues to remain the case due to colonial hangovers and limited resources.…”

Section: Prison Overcrowding Persons In Custody’s Well-being and Fund...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even though overcrowding continues to be one of the main problems confronting prisons in Africa (Baffour, 2021; Martin, 2014; Topp et al, 2016), research on its impact on fundamental human rights and health is limited. For example, in Ghana, researchers have focused on the impact of prison conditions and administration on recidivism and rehabilitation (Baffour, 2021; Boakye et al, 2022; Dako-Gyeke & Baffour, 2016), life-sentence and mental health (Baffour et al, 2022b), persons in custody’s access to health care (Adomah-Afari et al, 2021), and prison officers’ understanding and knowledge about international guidelines that protect the rights of persons in custody (Golo, 2022). We acknowledge the contributions of previous researchers but also prioritize the need for an extended body of knowledge in the area of overcrowding, particularly for a continent where prison congestion poses unique questions while an empirical understanding of its consequences is limited.…”

Section: Prison Overcrowding Persons In Custody’s Well-being and Fund...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Prison Overcrowding and Harsh Conditions: Health and Human Rights Concerns to Persons in Custody, Staff, and the Community

Baffour,

Francis,

Chong

et al. 2023

Criminal Justice and Behavior

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The article explored overcrowding in Ghana prisons and sought to understand its impact on the health and well-being of persons in custody and prison officers. Qualitative data from 38 participants who were serving terms or working in three prison facilities in Ghana revealed three themes, including (a) fear over the spread of communicable diseases, (b) limited access to basic resources, and (c) psychological and emotional burden, attributing them to overcrowding in the prisons. We discussed the findings from human rights and prison and public security perspectives and concluded that addressing overcrowding in prisons would ensure a healthy prison environment, which may have implications for the well-being and human rights of persons in custody, as well as public safety and the health of prison officers and the community. To achieve a healthy prison, policies should target prison depopulation and commitment from stakeholders to implement local and international prison rules and conventions.

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“…Foreign national prisoners mainly from neighbouring countries constitute 6 percent (870) of the population (Ghana Prison Service, 2022). These prisons face various challenges, including limited rehabilitation opportunities and overcrowding (Boakye et al, 2022). Overcrowding has been a persistent problem in Ghana's prisons but with successive improvements, the current overcrowding rate is 45 per cent above capacity.…”

Section: The Ghana Prison Contextmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Prison System in Ghana

Akoensi,

Tankebe

2023

Int Criminol

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Rehabilitation in Ghana: Assessing Prison Conditions and Effectiveness of Interventions for Incarcerated Adults

Cited by 4 publications

References 27 publications

Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators

Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators

Prison Overcrowding and Harsh Conditions: Health and Human Rights Concerns to Persons in Custody, Staff, and the Community

An Analysis of the Impact of COVID-19 on the Prison System in Ghana

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