Nsawam: Seven prisoners freed under Justice for All Programme

Among efforts to decongest most prisons in the country, seven prisoners have been freed, from the Nsawam prisons, and forty-one have also been granted bail. Some of these prisoners have been on remand for over ten years without any trial. 

Under the ‘Justice for All Programme’ a Court is set up in the prison and some judges are appointed to review the cases. The lawyers will file an application for discharge or bail. The application will then be moved to allow the judge to review the cases.

The Chief Justice, Mrs. Georgina Theodora Wood addressing stakeholders in the Justice for all programme at Nsawam prisons said it is the duty of the State to ensure that prisoners’ rights are protected. 

Mrs Wood said on retirement she would use her legitimate powers to improve upon the prisons service. 

The 'Justice for All Programme' is a joint effort of the Judicial Service of Ghana, the Office of the Attorney-General, the Ghana Prisons and Police Service, and Civil Society.  

Article 14(4) of the 1992 Constitution declares that a person who is arrested or detained, but has not received a trial within a ‘reasonable period of time’, is entitled to unconditional release or released subject to conditions necessary for reappearance for judicial proceedings.

GBC