Dire Consequence in Assessing the Inhuman Treatment of Prisoners to Promote Human Rights at Awutu Camp Prison in Ghana
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/jmlp.1525Keywords:
Human Rights, Inhumane Treatment, PrisonersAbstract
Purpose: In our contemporary society, the recognition of human rights stands as a crucial and paramount phenomenon. Undoubtedly, every individual inherently deserves certain rights and freedoms, which are universally acknowledged by governments, activists, and corporate organizations alike. However, regardless of the other reasons society locks up its criminals, rehabilitating them and bringing them back to normal society has always been the expectation, if not the implicit goal. With the hindsight of the circumstances of prisoners in Ghana, this study brought to light the dire consequences in assessing the inhuman treatment of prisoners to promote human rights at Awutu Camp Prison in Ghana.
Methodology: The study relied on constructive philosophy using a qualitative approach to investigate Human Rights Compliance at the prisons. The study used a purposive non-probability sampling strategy to identify nineteen (19) prison officers and inmates to subject them to interviews.
Findings: The study concluded that the prisoners' rights regarding accommodation, humanely hygienic conditions, access to healthcare, torture, and skill training or reformation are violated according to the UDHR. The study recommends that the GHC 1.80p cost of meal per prisoner should be reviewed to meet the UDHR. Also, the accommodation and sanitary conditions of inmates should be improved to meet the humane treatment of inmates. Additionally, inmates should be engaged with education and training that could instill trade in them.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that prison officers and inmates should be educated on their human rights as indicated by the UDHR and Human Rights document. Finally, this study should be replicated in other jurisdictions to ascertain equity.
Downloads
References
Ansah, E. W., Addae, J., Hagan, J. E., & Baidoo, M. A. (2023). Assessing stress levels, predictors and management strategies of inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex in the Central Region, Ghana. Behavioral Sciences, 13(3), 201.
Baffour, F. D. (2020). Factors Contributing to Recidivism among Inmates in Selected Ghana Prisons. Doctoral Thesis, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia.
Dupré, C. (2013). Constructing the meaning of human dignity: Four questions. In McCrudden, C. (Ed.), Understanding Human Dignity. OUP, Oxford, pp. 113-121.
Fraenkel, J. R. & Wallen, N.E. (1996). How to design and evaluate research in education (3rd Ed.). London: McGraw-Hill Inc.
Ghana Prisons Service (2022). Ghana Prisons Service. Available at: https://ghanaprisons.gov.gh/about-us/about-us.cits
Jackson, E. and Keown, J. (2012). Debating Euthanasia. Oxford: Hart.
McCrudden, C. (2008). Human dignity and judicial interpretation of human rights. European Journal of International Law, 19 (4), 655-724
Myjoyonline. (2021). Overcrowding a major challenge of Ghana Prison Service. Available at:https://www.myjoyonline.com/overcrowding-a-major-challenge-of-ghana-prison-service/Newman, I., & Benz, C. R. (1998). Qualitative-quantitative research methodology: Exploring the interactive continuum. Southern Illinois, USA: SIU Press.
Ofori, E. N. A. (2011). Perceptions of police powers of arrest, detention and human rights of suspects in Effutu municipality of Ghana. (M. Phil. thesis). University of Education, Winneba.
OHCHR. (2015). Basic principles on the use of force and firearms bylaw enforcement officials. Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/UseOfForceAndFirearms.aspx
OHCHR. (2015). Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Retrieved from http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Publications/Factsheet32EN.pdf
Reichstein, A. (2020). A right to die for prisoners? International Journal of Prisoner Health, 16(1), 56-66.
Rights sites news. (2009). Promoting human rights education in the classroom. Advocates of human rights. Budapest, Hungary: COE Publishing.
United Nations (2014). Framework of Analysis for Atrocity Crimes: A tool for prevention. New York: United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. Universal declaration of human rights. (1948). Adopted and proclaimed by
United Nations (2014). Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United States of America: New York, United Nations.
United Nations (2014). Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. United States of America: New York, United Nations.
United Nations. (1945). Charter of the United Nations. New York: UN Information Department. Retrieved from http://www.treaties.un.org/doc/publication/ctc/ uncharter.pdf
US Department of State. (2011). Country report on human rights practices in Ghana - 2010. Retrieved from http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2010/af/154349 .htm
Yiribaare, F. K. (2006). The role of the Ghana police service in achieving the goals of the African charter on human and people’s rights. (Master of Arts dissertation). Available at University of Ghana, Legon Balme library.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Kwadwo Bioh Agyei, Millicent Yenkangyi, Michael Oppong
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.