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Causes and Effects of Overcrowding at Prisons: A Study at the Ho

Central Prison, Ghana
Edison Kwame Agbesi
EDI-Consult, P.O Box HP 469, Ho-Ghana

Abstract
This study aimed to examine the overcrowding situation at the Ho central prison. The causes, effects on officers
and inmates, prevention and measures that could be adopted to address the causes and its adverse effect on the
society. In this regards, it is found out that the prisoner’s population at the Ho central prison has been more triple
than the official capacity for which it was meant to contain. This was brought about by poor ventilation as the
prison was built to accommodates 120 inmates now has a lock-up of almost 460 prisoners and others on
remands. Furthermore, the finding and their implications have been enumerated and discussed. Among them is
the drawing of attention of the appropriate authorities to the overcrowding and its related problems and how to
decongest the prison in Ho.On the basis of findings, useful suggestions were made for the rectification of the
problems which the study revealed. This includes the implementation of non-custodial sentences in a form of
community service sentences, strengthening of the criminal justice system for speedy trail of suspects and the
improvement in the conditions of service to motivate serving officers and to attract more qualified professional
into the service for efficiency.
Keywords: Prison, Prisoner, Inmates and Overcrowding

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Background to the study
Human societies at all times have had some of her members deviated from the generally acceptable social norms.
Such deviants are often referred to as criminals in many national laws. Many of these criminals are subjected to
various measures intended to punish and/or reform them. Some of these measures include payment of fines,
banishment, corporal and capital punishment, community service and the much popular imprisonment.
Imprisonment has gradually replaced the much cruel forms of such measures like banishment, corporal and capital
punishment over the last few centuries. Criminals who are treated by any of these measures are normally confined
with the intention to reform and rehabilitate them to conform to the standards and expectations of the society. It is
therefore no surprise that such institutions of confinements are now referred to, in contemporary parlance, as
correctional institutions.
The World Prison Brief Walmsley (2001) reveals that over 8.7 million people are held in penal
institutions throughout the world, either as pre-trial detainees or having been convicted and sentenced. In view of
the fact that there are just over 6.1 billion people in the world, this implies that the world prison population rate
is approximately 140 per 100,000 citizens. Half of these are in the United States, Russia, and China. There is a
vast variation of prison populations from place to place, region to region, country to country, and continent to
continent. The magnitude of the South African prison population is being questioned and criticized more and
more by informed and well meaning persons and countries. The lack of sufficient alternatives to imprisonment
manifests itself in overpopulation of prisons with all its negative implications.
Prison overcrowding and the resulting financial and human rights problems related to this
phenomenon, remain one of the paramount concerns , and has been expressed by developed and developing
countries. In order to comprehend the magnitude of the problems, it is imperative to first have an appreciation of
the number of prisoners’ incarcerated world wide.
In many parts of the world, for example, America, Russia and South Africa, the prison population has
escalated during the 1990s. There has been over 20% growth in most of the European states and in the United
States of America a growth between 60 and 85%. Elsewhere, the growth has been, over 33% in South Africa,
50% in Australia, 38% in New Zealand and 10% in Japan. Generally, the trend during the 1990s, at least in many
of the developed countries, has been a rise in prison populations, often with a growth over the decade
(Walmsley, 2001. p. 3).
In South Africa, prisons are severely overcrowded. Between 1996 and June 2001, the overall number
of prisoners in South African prisons increased by 34%. The number of sentenced prisoners increased by 27%,
and the number of those held awaiting trial increased by 54%. In December 1996, South African prisons had the
capacity to accommodate 96,329 prisoners, but were holding 125,752 inmates. During that year, the level of
overpopulation was 31%. By May 2000, prison capacity had increased to 100,384 prisoners, but the actual
prisoner numbers had also increased to 171,880 inmates, amounting to overcrowding of 71% (Department of
Correctional Services, 2000).
The overcrowding situation in prisons in Ghana is not different from that of the rest of the world. As of

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April 22, 2013, total prison population of inmates in the country stood at 13,720 against official capacity of
8,004 with 2,595 being remand prisoners alone. This implies that the capacity has been exceeded by 56.6 per
cent. The Ashanti Region, which has six prison establishments at Kumasi, Adansi-Ahinsan, Obuasi and
Akrofrom by the end of 2006 had recorded 2,229 populations of inmates against their official capacities, thereby
forcing inmates to sleep in turns as pointed out by officialdom. (www.amnestyusa.org).
The Ho central Prison service has a chequered history
Therefore, the exact year the prison was established is not known but available record indicates that it was
established earlier than 1948. The prison was one of the four (4) prisons in the then Togoland territory under
United Kingdom Trusteeship and was treated as an integral part of the prison system of the then Gold Coast. It
was establish to cater for offenders who were convicted for various offences in the Region. It was classified as a
local prison and for that matter kept prisoner’s serving sentences of less than two (2) years only.
The prison is located at Ho-Bankoe a suburb of Ho on 4.147 acre land. Before the service became
autonomous in 1964 and was renamed Ghana prison service, District agents of Ho acted as the officer in-charge
of the station. It was 1964 that the service appointing prison officers as officer in-charge. No records of who the
officer in-charge was between 1964 and 1967.
Initially, there was only one block with six (6) cells, a major structural expansion was carried out of the
station in 1948. The programme which was designed to be completed in 1949 included the construction of
additional separates’ accommodation for convicted prisoners/ remand prisoners, a new office and a store room,
additional cell block, a new kitchen, bath house and a new latrine,
the area was enclosed by the walls considerably increased when the wall were demolished and rebuilt.
The expansion enable proper classification of prisoners’ was carried out at the station. The average
amount of space available for each prisoner was 200 cubic feet.
In 1964, a one storey block was erected on the old administration block to provide additional offices for
the office-in-charge, the second in command, other clerical staffs, superior officers and account office.
Problem statement
In most human societies, both past and present, there is the need for development. However, many are of the
opinion that most youth who could have contributed to economic development eventually finds themselves as
social misfits.
At present, much attention is devoted to the part of the function of the prisons, which is focused on safe
custody of prisoners and less emphasis on welfare, rehabilitation and reformation of convicted offenders. With
increasing inmates population as a result of high crime rate coupled with the natural growth of national
population, little has been done to either expand or equip the existing one. This condition has caused the health
condition of both inmates and officers at risk. The prison facilities were poorly designed such that they are
unable to contain the numbers and the present population in the Region as a result, they service are unable to
perform its social as an integrative organization.
Consequently, there appears to be loosening of economic and social developments. This has resulted in
finding most of the youth in increasing numbers in the prison. This was built by our colonial masters for a daily
lock up of 120 inmates but currently has a daily lock up of 450 - 470 inmates which makes the prison over
populated. If crime rate continues to increase at such a rate, then there is a cause to suspect that criminal
behavior will soon reach a catastrophic level in the Region.
This study seeks to identify the causes and effects of overcrowding at the Ho central prisons.
From the outlined above, it is clear that the problems do not augur well for a peaceful, secure and a
good moral development of the nation.
Specific objectives
The general objective of this study was to examine and identify the causes and effects of overcrowding at the Ho
prison. Specifically, the study revolved around the following objectives:
i. To determine the rate at which inmates are remanded in the prison.
ii. To determine the rate at which inmates are released.
iii. Examine the effect of overcrowding in the prison
iv. To identify other factors that accounts for overpopulation in Ho prison.
Research questions
1. What were the factors that account for the overcrowding in the prison?
2. What were the effects of overcrowding in the prisons?
3. What was the rate at which inmates are remanded?
4. What was the rate at which inmates are released?
Limitations
In undertaking a study of this nature, the researcher was constrained by a number of factors which includes the
following:
The study was undertaken concurrently with academic work and for that matter time was limited

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The study was limited to Ghana prison service Ho and this made it difficult to generalize the situation pertaining
in other prison institutions
In addition, we cannot guarantee that officers provided honest answers to the questions, since the study involved
a sensitive matter.
The study involves the use of questionnaires, interview schedule and photocopy of relevant materials. All these
involve money.

2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Introduction
This chapter deals with the review of literature and conceptual framework that has a bearing on the research
topic. It tries to consider the theoretical framework and empirical evidence of the study. The following has been
done about literature review:

2.1 The concept of overcrowding

Stinchcomb and Fox (1999) contend that the consequence of housing too many people in too little space means
that:
“Inmates are double-bunked in small cells designed for one or forced to sleep on mattresses in unheated prison
gyms, day rooms, hallways, or basements. Others sleep on makeshift trailers, tents, or converted ferries. Space
that had once been devoted to work, study and recreational programmes are being turned into dormitories”
Neser (1993:271) distinguishes three forms of capacity in terms of which occupancy rates can be expressed:
1. Estimated capacity- the number of beds or –prisoners de facto authorized by correctional administrators
to be assigned to a prison.
2. Operational capacity- the number of beds or prisoners, which can be accommodated consistent with the
maintenance of programmes and services.
3. Designed capacity- this forms part of the architectural planning of an institution. Prison over-population
thus comes about when the number of prisoners in a particular prison can no longer be coped with the
infrastructure.

2.2 Prison and punishment

For a long time, prison sentencing has been associated with the aim of correcting criminal behaviour with the
rehabilitation of criminals to become law-abiding citizens. Imprisonment is a mode of punishing wrong-doers
and of protecting citizens from them. But the underlying principle of the prison system is that of ‘improving’ the
individual to a fit and proper part in society.
Prisons are no longer generally physically maltreated, as was once common practice-though physical
beatings are by no means unknown, even in women’s prisons. However, prisoners suffer many other types of
deprivation. They are deprived not only for their freedom, but of a proper income, the company of their families
and previous friends, heterosexual relationships, their own clothing and other personal items. They frequently
live in overcrowded conditions and have to accept strict disciplinary procedures and the regimentation of their
daily lives.
Living in these conditions tends to drive a wedge between prison inmates and the outside society, rather
than adjusting their behavior to the norms of that society. Prisoners have to come into terms with an environment
quite distinct from ‘the outside’ and the habits and attitudes they learn in prison are quite of them exactly the
opposite of those they are supposed to acquire. For instance, they may develop a grudge against ordinary
citizenry, learn to accept violence as normal, gain contact with seasoned criminals which they maintain when
freed, and acquire criminal skills about which they previously knew little. It is therefore not surprising that rates
of recidivism i.e. repeat offending by those who have been, in borstal or prison before are disturbingly high.
Over sixty(60%) percent of all men set free after serving prison sentences are re-arrested within four years of
their original crimes. The actual rate of re-offending is presumably high than this, as no doubt some of those
returning to criminal activities are not caught.

2.3 Overcrowding in prisons

2.3.1 Delay in the Administration of Justice
It is beyond doubt that when more than 60 percent of the total prison admissions are awaiting trial, the
administration of criminal justice must be faulty. Olawoye identified several factors as responsible for delay in
the administration of criminal justice. First is the inadequacy of the courts and judicial personnel. The
performance of some of them leaves a lot to be desired. Some are lazy, while others are not committed, and cases
are adjourned at the slightest excuse. In addition, legal practitioners frequently go to court unprepared. They
manufacture all sorts of reasons why adjournment should be granted, and some are just simply incompetent. The
preliminary investigation and the Assize system are contributing factors also. These are colonial “hold-overs”,

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which remain in some states. The system of handling all criminal cases at one particular time of the year usually
leads to a situation in which cases that do not fall within the period are not handled, and a consequent backlog of
cases is left pending. Further, investigations are often not completed because the law is unduly technical, and,
more significantly, the public is very reluctant to assist the police due to past experience.
Additional problems stem from grossly inadequate equipment in some states. For example, in some
cases of dangerous driving in which death occurred, it took six months or more for the compilation of the “case
diary” because of shortages of typewriters and typists at police stations. Thus, cases expected to take three
months take eighteen months on the average. In forgery cases, because there are few handwriting experts serving
in the northern states, it takes about six months to get them to give evidence.
Delay occurs also in criminal appeals because of the following: (1) the indifference and incompetence
of secretarial staff, (2) the fact that the records of proceedings may be spread throughout many record books
because of numerous adjournments, (3) frequent transfers of magistrates, which makes it difficult for them to
compile records of proceedings, and (4) the illegible handwriting of some judicial officials (University of Lagos,
Faculty of Law, 1973). All of the above in one way or another contributes to the “overcrowding,” especially in
relation to the number of persons awaiting trial. Unless these delays are reduced, there cannot be reductions in
the numbers of those awaiting trial.
Lack of legal aid accounts for additional delays in the cases of many inmates awaiting trial in custody.
The high levels of illiteracy and poverty have caused a substantial number of inmates to languish in prisons
because they cannot afford payment of legal fees. Their illiteracy renders them unable even to take advantage of
the limited free legal aid available. These individuals constitute the bulk of the inmates who are released when
some judges visit the prisons on a routine basis. Added to the above problems are the stringent criteria often
imposed for granting bail by the courts.
2.3.2 Overuse of Prison Sentences by Judges
It would appear from the characteristics of the prison population that there has been overuse of imprisonment as
a means of punishment. There is no other way to account for the fact that about one-third of the convicted
prisoners are incarcerated for stealing without violence, about 80 percent are serving not more than two years of
imprisonment, and more than 55 percent are first offenders. The presence of debtors, mentally disordered
persons, and pregnant and nursing mothers is further evidence. There are many better alternatives for dealing
with these individuals.
2.3.3 Over-Criminalization
It is not unlikely that there has been an increase in criminal activity, which has contributed to the
“overcrowding” in Ghanaian prisons, especially now that the rewards have become so conspicuous in the
opulence enjoyed by white-collar criminals and “drug barons.” In the absence of accurate data, such a rise in
criminal activity is a reasonable assumption. It likely is related to the deteriorating economic situation. However,
a factor that probably has contributed to both criminal activity and criminalization of many behaviors is the spate
of decrees produced by the military regime.
2.3.4 Few Resources to Build Additional Prisons
According to reports, most of the Ghanaian prisons were built during the colonial period. Since then, very little
effort has been made either to build additional facilities or to modernize existing ones. With the increased prison
admissions in recent years, “overcrowding” became inevitable.

2.4 Effects of Overcrowding in Prisons

2.4.1 Spreading of infectious diseases
The overcrowding of prisons leads to the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, chicken pox etc. in
south Africa, the South African Prisoners’ Organization for Human Rights (SAPOHR), has contended that it will
take the government to court for violating the prisoner’s rights unless it urgently addressed overcrowded
conditions.(www.iafrica.com, 2003). According to SAPOHR, the overcrowding in prisons has contributed to the
spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases. It further went on to say that conditions in prisons were
inhumane and undermined human dignity.
2.4.2 It undermines social control in prisons
Overcrowding in prisons makes it difficult to control the prisoners. The prison over-population leads to higher
cell temperatures and noise levels, poorer ventilation in cells, idleness, disagreement and irritation among the
prisoners. This creates high potential for conflict among prisoners and can negatively influence the relationship
between staff and prisoners (Neser, 1993, p. 280). The overcrowding in the prisons breeds a whole lot of
violence and rape.
2.4.3 Mental problems
Reid (1997:555) contends that in addition to increased violence, overcrowded prisons may induce stress in
inmates and staff and result in physical and mental problems.

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2.4.4 Poor prison conditions

The overcrowding in prisons leads to poor prison conditions. The personal living space allotted to inmates is
severely restricted. Inmates are always in constant presence of other, inmates sleep with the knowledge that they
may be molested or assaulted by their fellows at any time. They must urinate and defecate, unscreened, in the
presence of others (Reid 1997, p. 554). This condition makes it nearly impossible to create an environment
conducive to preparing someone for life outside prison. The strain on resources is enormous and one cannot
expect to see good citizens emerging from an environment that cannot take care of the basic needs of prisoners
(Muntingh, 2002).
2.4.5 Access to programmes
According to Reid (1997), when facilities are overcrowded, the transportation of inmates to and from programme
sites becomes problematic. Those who will want to even study to further their education in the prisons may not
get the chance to do so. In cases where even they have the chance, they may not get the peace of mind to study.
2.4.6 Cost to the state
Another effect of overcrowded prisons is the cost that the state has to bear. More inmates mean that the states
will have to increase its budget for the prison service. This means that the state will have to shift some resources
from other sectors of the economy and channel it to prisons.
2.4.7 A case for community service sentencing
In view of the ever increasing prisoner population leading to overcrowding in the country’s prisons, there is a
case strong for the introduction of community service as an alternative to incarceration.
Community service is a non custodial sentence which requires an offender to make specified
reparations to the community. Instead of a prison sentence, the offender is ordered by the court to perform
unpaid work in the community. It is a way of getting the offender to give something back to the community for
the harm done by his/her anti-social behavior.
It is not every convict who can qualify for community service. Dangerous criminals such as armed
robbers, murderers, serial killers, terrorist, drug barons and a host of others will not be eligible for community
service because of the risk they pose to society.
Community service is reserved for those offenders that would normally attract a short sentence.
Offenders such as theft, contempt of court, fighting, dishonestly receiving, drink diving and other traffic offences
such as driving without license could be considered for the community service order. The offender is deemed not
to pose real danger to society.
Why is there the need for community service? The reason is simple, prison are expensive to manage. It
is huge costs to the tax payer given the rather large number of prisoners the country’s prisons. We feed, clothe
and provide medical care and other basic necessities of life to our prisoners including rehabilitation facilities.
The cost involved in the management of prisons is astronomical to say the least. Community service which is
non-custodial is less expensive and easy to administer.
Before a court issues a community service order, it will need a social enquiry report on the offender.
The report which will normally be prepared by an officer from the Department of Social Welfare will consider
the work skills, qualifications, experience, interests and the willingness of the offender to agree to do unpaid
work in the community should the order be issued. In other words, the judicial authorities will have to study the
report determine whether an offender is suitable for community service.
Community service should benefit both the community and the offender. Alec Samuel’s said ‘’A
community service order is intended to be rehabilitative and reformative, constructive and positive, therapeutic,
and if not punitive at least containing a strong element of discipline and personal rigour and effort’’ There are
ground rules to ensures the successful implementation of community service orders.
An offender is required to do unpaid work for a specified number of hours that the court spells out in
the order. He will do the work under the supervision of an officer from the Department of Social welfare.
There are situations where the court may order an offender to go to a specific institution for treatment of
such conditions as anger management, drug and alcohol addiction among others. He must go to the treatment
centre on a regular basis for the management of his condition. Unnecessary excuses will not be tolerated by the
supervising officer.
He must be punctual and perform tasks to a standard acceptable by the supervising authority. The
offender is not allowed to leave the community without taking express permission from his supervisor.
During the period of community service, the offender is not allowed to use drugs or take alcohol
because of its implications. The type of work the offender is required to do should be available in the
community. Offenders could be made to do any of the following without being paid: tree planting, desilting
drains and gutters, weeding or cleaning the premises of courthouse, school or clinics as the case may be. If
offender fails to complete the amount of work required by the court order, the supervisor will bring the offender
before the court to justify the violation. If the court is not satisfied with the explanation given by the offender, it
may impose in fine or commit the person to prison for up to the maximum period of time provided for under the

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applicable law.
Community service is strongly recommended for offenders who could face full time jail from one
month to one year. Community helps the offender to reintegrates into the community without much difficulty.
This can happen since the offender is already in his community and can work to support his or her family. One
of the good things about community service is the potential it has to reduce recidivism. Commenting on the
usefulness of community service, Francis Crook, director of the Howard League wrote ‘’for the majority of non-
dangerous offenders, community services are more likely to reduce the seriousness and frequency of re-
offending. They help a person to take responsibility for their actions and put something back into the community
rather than sitting out their time lying on a prison bunk.’’
From the discourse above, one can confidently conclude that community service can greatly benefit the
nation. I humbly appeal to parliament, the peoples’ representatives, the chief justice and the prison authority to
seriously consider the introduction of community service in criminal justice administration. (Daily Graphic 31
july,2012)

3.0 METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter discusses the research design and the details of the techniques employed in collecting the data for
the research as well as the tool used to analyze the data. It also describes the settings used in the study as well as
the survey participants. Also discussed here is the research process, reliability and the validity of the research
data.

3.1 Research design

Descriptive research or survey was used for the study. This involve collecting data to answer the research
questions in chapter one. Descriptive data are usually collected through questionnaire, interviews or observation.
Descriptive survey aims primarily at describing, observing and documenting aspects of a situation as it naturally
occurs rather than explaining them.

3.2 Study population

The study population of staff at Ghana prison Service in Ho is one hundred and eleven (111). And the sample
size includes only the staff of Ghana prison service. The categories of the study population are made up senior
ranks that are made up of administration and junior ranks also made up of station guards and artisans.

3.3 Sampling and sampling procedure

Respondents were randomly selected, meaning every member of the population had an equal chance of being
selected to the sample. The sample size is the staff that stays or work in the Ho prison. This is justifiably so,
because the town is municipal area. This means they have all the various cultures, ethnic groupings and
behaviour that can be found in Ghana. Then again, if you look at the population of workers in the service, they
form about 30.5% of the workforce of the entire Service in Ghana.

3.4 Sources of data

The data for this research work was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The primary sources of
data were the fieldwork the researcher undertook at the study area –Ho central prison. The primary data was
collected from the subjects through questionnaires, interviews and observations. The secondary data was
collected from documented materials which have direct bearing on the topic understudy. They included
published books, newspapers, journals, news bulletin and the internets. The Researcher visited the Balme
Library of the University of Ghana.

3.5 Data collection technique

The research was conducted between March, 2013 and May 2013 in the prison. The researcher administered the
questionnaire himself. He made visit to the prison and the prison Headquarters’ and was given an approval letter
to go to Ho central prison. This was to explain to them his intention and the purpose of the study.
The data collection technique adopted was the administration of questionnaires. Each staff member was
given a two page questionnaire and giving information on the causes and effects of overcrowding in the facility.
A total of 50 respondents collected the questionnaire and they were all literates. The data was collected from the
respondents around April, 2013 after the completion of the questionnaires.
The participants were asked on the questionnaire about their personal attributes e.g. sex, age, profession
and educational level so as to know how they can identify the causes overcrowding in the prison. They were
asked to indicate whether they were affected in any form of health. Those who responded ‘yes’ to the question
were asked to indicate the type of effects. They were requested to give their perceptions on causes of

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overcrowding and how it can be reduced or better still eliminated/controlled in Ghana Prison Service - Ho.
3.6 Data Analysis
Collecting data in a raw form, that is before these data have been processed and analyzed, convey very little
meaning to most people. These data therefore needed to be processed to make them useful, that is to turn them
into information. The tool used for the data processing and analysis was the Statistical Product and Service
Solution (SPSS) software.

4.0 FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Introduction
This chapter presents findings and discussions from the field. The purpose of this study as noted from the
previous chapters is to identify the causes and effect of overcrowding at the prison. Frequency and percentage
table has been provided to aid the analysis of the responses.

4.1 Background of respondents

The questionnaire deals with the demographic data of the respondents. It highlighted the sex, age, work
experience, academic qualification and professional ranking of the respondents.
Sex of respondents
Table 1 looks at sex of the respondents. This was included in the questionnaire to describe the number of male
and female staff of Ghana prison service Ho.
Table 1: Sex of respondents
Sex Frequency Percentage %
Male 41 82.0
Female 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
From the analysis of responses in table 1, 41 (82%) of the respondents are male whiles 9 (18%) are
female. This indicates that majority of the staff in Ghana prison service are male and the female staff form the
minority.
Age distribution of respondents
A number of age ranges were included in the questionnaire for the respondents to tick. This was done to enable
the researcher know the age range of the Ghana prison service staff if not their specific age.
Table 2: Age Distribution of Respondents
Ages Frequency Percentage %
30-34 24 48.0
35-44 13 26.0
45-50 8 16.0
51 and above 5 10.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
From Table 2, it can be seen that 24 (48%) of the staff is within the range of 30-34, 13 (26%) are with
the age range of 35 – 44. 8 (16%) are within the range of 45 – 50, while 5 (10%) are within the range of 56years
and above. This shows that many of the staffs are within the age range of 30-34 years and the age range of 51
years and above form the minority.
Table 3. Marital status of respondents
marital status Frequency Percentage %
Single 16 32.0
Married 34 68.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
Table 3 presents the marital status of the youth respondents. 16 respondents representing 32% were
single, 34were married representing 68% and none of them had divorced.
Working experience
This item was added to the questionnaire to enable the researcher know the number of years respondents have
been working with the Ghana prison service.

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Table 4: Working experience

working experience Frequency Percentage %
1-5yrs 17 34.0
6-10yrs 12 24.0
11-16yrs 11 22.0
16yrs above 10 20.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey,2013.
The data in Table 4 shows that 10 (20%) of the respondents have 16years and above work experience,
11 (22%) have work between 11 – 16 years, 12 (24%) have work between 6 – 10 years and 17 (34%) of the staff
have work experience between 1 – 5 years. The table depicts that majority of the staff have 1- 5 years and above
work experience.
Academic qualification of respondents
This item was included in the questionnaire to enable the researcher elicit information on the academic
qualification of the respondents. Analysis of their responses is presented in Table 5.
Table 5: Academic qualification of respondents
Academic qualification Frequency Percentage %
Certificates 27 54.0
Diploma 6 12.0
Degree 5 10.0
Others 12 24.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field ,survey, 2013.
The data in Table 5 indicates that 12 (24%) of the respondents hold Other qualification such as NVTI
and some are tradesmen, 5 (10%) of the respondents hold degree whiles another 6(12%) holds diploma. The
table shows that majority of the respondent, 27 (54%) hold certificates qualifications.
Professional rank
To find the professional qualification of the respondents, the following item was posed in the questionnaire by
the researcher. Analysis of the responses is presented in Table 5.
Table 6: Professional rank
Ranks Frequency Percentage %
senior ranks 10 20.0
junior ranks 40 80.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
Analysis of the data in Table 6 shows that 10 (20%) of the respondents are holding Senior ranks
position, whiles 40 (80%) of the respondents forms the workforce of the junior rank at the Ghana prison service
Ho.
The following item on the questionnaire sought from the respondents on the factors that affect their
attitudes towards work. These are shown in Table 6.
Table 7: Current enrolment in the facility.
This was added to the questionnaire to seek the views of the respondent to know the number of current
enrolment in the facility (prison)
Current enrolment Frequency Percentage %
420-430 10 20.0
431-440 17 34.0
441-450 12 24.0
451-460 11 22.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey,2013
In the analysis of the Table 7 above shows that 11 (22%) of the respondent (Officers of the prison) said
the current enrolment in the facility was 451-460, 12 (24%) indicated that the enrolment was 441-450. 17 (34%)

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said that the enrolment was 420-430. This shows that the number of inmates is more than what the facility can
accommodate which are 120 inmates. This information’s were obtained from the prison officers and some
secondary data of the prison.
Table 8: Respondents perception of overcrowding
Respondents Frequency Percentage %
Yes 41 82.0
No 9 18.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
In the Table 8, 9 (18%) of the respondents (officers and inmates) said the number does not amount to
overcrowding whiles 41 (82%) said the number amounts to overcrowding. This indicate that there was
overcrowding in the prison or not.
Table 9: Possible causes of overcrowding
Possible causes of overcrowding Frequency Percentage %
Adjournment of cases 14 28.0
Frequent crime committals 12 24.0
Inadequate cells 7 14.0
In ability to pay legal fees 17 34.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
From the Table 9 above, 7 (14%) of the respondents ( officers of the prison) said inadequate cells was
the possible cause of overcrowding, 12 (24%) said frequent crime committal was the possible cause, 14 (28%)
said adjournment of cases was the cause whiles 17 (34 %) said the inability to pay legal fees was the cause of
overcrowding. This indicates that majority of the respondent agreed that their inability to pay legal fees was the
cause of overcrowding in the prison.
Table 10: Respondents perception of effect on inmates and officers
Respondents Frequency Percentage %
Yes 32 64.0
No 18 36.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey,2013.
In the Table10 above, 18 (36%) of the respondents (both officers and inmates) said overcrowding in the
prison does not have any effect on inmates and officers whiles 32 (64 % ) said it had effects on inmates and
officers. This indicates that overcrowding in the prison had effects on inmates and officers.
Table 11: Types of effects
Types of effects Frequency Percentage %
Spread of contagious disease 30 60.0
Excessive heat 5 10.0
Suffocation 3 6.0
Discomfort 12 24.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey,2013.
In Table 11, 3 (6%) of the respondents (officers and inmates) said suffocation was the type of effect, 5
(10 %) said excessive heat was the type of effect, 12 (24%) mention discomfort whiles 30 ( 60% ) said the
spread of contagious diseases was the type of effects.
This indicates that, the spread of contagious disease was the type of diseases that affects both the
officers and inmates in the facility.

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Table 12: Suggestion for corrections

Suggestions Frequency Percentages %
Building of more prison 29 58.0
Transfer of inmates to other prison 7 14.0
Introduction of community sentence 14 28.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
In Table 12 above, 7 (14 %) of the respondents (officers) suggested the transfer of inmates to other
prison, 14 (28 %) suggested the introduction of community sentence whiles 29 (58 %) suggested the building of
more prisons. This indicates that majority of the respondents suggested the building of more prison to decongest
the existing one.
Table 13: Rates at which inmates are remanded
Rates Remanded Frequency Percentage%
Daily 12 24.0
Weekly 6 12.0
Monthly 24 48.0
Yearly 8 16.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey, 2013.
From the Table 13 above, 6 (12%) of the respondents said inmates are remanded weekly, 8 (16%) of the
respondents yearly, 12 (24%) said Daily whiles 24 (48%) said monthly. This indicates that majority of the
respondents said inmates were remanded monthly.
Table 14: Rates at which inmates are released
Rates Released Frequency Percentage %
Daily 1 2.0
Weekly 4 8.0
Monthly 5 10.0
Yearly 40 80.0
Total 50 100.0
Source. Field survey,2013.
In the Table 14 above, 1(2.0%) of the respondent said inmates are released Daily, 4(8%) said Weekly,
5(10%) said Monthly whiles 40(80%) said Yearly. This indicates that majority of the respondent said the inmates
were released Yearly.

5.0 SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction
This chapter deals with the summary of the study, conclusion drawn from the findings as well as
recommendation made to stakeholders.

5.1 Summary
The focus of this study was to examine the causes and effects of overcrowding at the Ho central prison. A
sample size of 50 was used in conducting the study and out of this, 41 of the respondent are males from Ho
central prison and 9 of the respondents were female from the Ho central prison and the researcher used
structured questionnaire for the study. Three research questions were posed to generate responses from the staffs.
The target population of this study included some of the staff in the central prison. The main instrument used
was questionnaire, interview and data collected was analyzed.
From the research conducted, majority of the respondents understand and knows the causes and effects
of overcrowding on both the officers and inmates respectively. With regards to the findings about the major
cause of overcrowding in the prison is the frequent adjournment of cases at the court. The inability of the
criminal justice system to carry out due diligent work on theses remands prisoners turn to delay the cases leading
to overcrowding in the prison.
Also, the inability of individuals in the society to pay for legal fee charged by lawyers to defend their
cases made people to languish in the prison.

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Furthermore, from the study, the prison facility was to accommodate a daily lock up of 120 inmates but
now the numbers ranges from 420-460 inmates. This shows that the inmates were more than the official and
maximum capacity of the prison.
Last but the least, it was found out that contagious diseases such as tuberculosis, measles and other skin
diseases affect both the inmates and prison officers because they all live within the same facility and not
considering the excessive stench and heat from the cells.

5.2 Conclusions
Prison overcrowding is quickly becoming a major financial and controversial problem in the Ghana today. There
are now more than two-thirds of inmates of people in Ho prison in jail or been remand prison, and soon there
will be half a million in Ho prison alone. With that being said, two-thirds are confined in less than 200 cubic feet
of floor space. While prison conditions have not improved considerably in many ways, the present correctional
system is still struggling to deal with the same problems that the other prison has experienced in the past. Many
correctional facilities are operating under hazardous conditions, which include operating past the maximum
capacity. Overcrowding in prisons and inmate to inmate violence appears to be closely related as well as
intolerable living conditions, which contribute to many of the problems in the prisons, which seem to be
unconstitutional. Other factors including, poor health and the spread of diseases among inmates, and several
others are inhuman for a democratic state of Ghana.
Nevertheless, many consider imprisonment to be the punishment of choice. They feel that when the
offender is jailed, justice is served. The paradox of imprisonment lies in society's expectations: the community
wants retribution, as well as rehabilitation. Interestingly, for many, sending people to prison is not enough; they
insist that offenders should be under hard labour forgetting that government has to provide for their needs in the
prison.

5.3 Recommendations
To address the outlined causes of overcrowding and its resultant adverse effect on the convicted/remands
inmates, the Ho central prison and the nation at large, the following measures are suggested to stakeholders:
First of all, imprisonment should be reserved for only violent crimes and criminals who pose a real
danger to society. The courts should be encouraged to make use of alternative sanctions to imprisonment thus
Community service should be encouraged and introduced to reduce the congestion in our prisons. Non-custodial
community sanctions and measures, which are alternatives to imprisonment, should be exercised more frequently
and with due regard to the needs of both victims and offenders. Implementation of penal sanctions within the
community of non-violent offenders should be encouraged, as they may well offer in the long term better
protection for society while offenders continue to assume social responsibilities.
Also, the government must do more to help ex-convicts resettle into society so that the tax payer can
benefit from their contributions to development. It must provide funds to support projects and programmes that
promote the rehabilitation of ex-offenders.
Parliament must also take the initiative to expunge from our statute books the law that bars ex-convicts
from being employed by the state and public institutions in general. In doing, so it will reduce the rate of
recidivism which leads to overcrowding in the prison.

REFERENCES
Commonwealth East African Workshop on Alternative Sentencing and Strategies to Reduce Prison Overcrowding-Kigali
Rwanda 9th -11th May 2011
Nukunya, Tradition and Change in Ghana. University of Ghana.
Daily Graphic 31 July, 2012-A case for community sentences
Clemmer, D. (1958) ‘’The prison community”.Princeton University Press. New Jersey.
Adjido G.(1991) Agriculture Unit in the Ghana Prison Service. University of Ghana
http://www.prisonstudies.org.
Mauer, M. 2003, Comparative International Rates of Incarceration: An Examination of Causes and Trends.
http://www.prisonstudies.org International Centre for Prison Studies. Accessed 4/14/2013
http://www.ghanaprisonservice.org/gh retrieved 13-4-2013.
International Centre for Prison Studies (2006). World Prison Brief (online version). London: University of London, King’s
College London, International Centre for Prison Studies. Accessed 10/06/2006
www.myjoyonline.com Ineffective Police investigations cause of overcrowding in Ghana's prison 22 April, 2013.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/politics/artikel.php?ID=242077 Date: 2012-06-15.
Richard R. Korn, Lloyd W. Mc.corkle. - Criminology and penology
Walmsley, 2006; Harrison & Beck, 2004. Research from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency November 2006

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