ASSESSING CHURCH-BASED PRISON MINISTRY AND PRISONERS’ REHABILITATION IN GHANA: THE CASE OF NSAWAM MEDIUM SECURITY PRISONS
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Date
2023-01
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KNUST
Abstract
The study is based on the premise that recidivism in Ghana is on the rise despite programmes aim
at rehabilitating offenders in prisons. Christian activities have played crucial roles in these
rehabilitation programmes in the Nsawam Medium Security Prison. However, there is a
widespread notion that Nsawam Medium Security Prison’s prison ministry operations are limited
to caring for the basic demands of prisoners. The rehabilitation of detainees is thus a lesser priority
for the majority of church-based prison ministries in Nsawam Prisons. The researcher focused on
Nsawam Medium Security Prison to examine the relationship between prison ministry and
convicts’ rehabilitation. The research relied on the mixed method approach to solicit the
perceptions and experiences of inmates, prison ministers and prison officers on the subject matter.
It was discovered that there are several non-religious programmes aim at rehabilitation offenders
as well as religious programs. Religious programmes and activities of prison ministry at Nsawam
Medium Security Prison have been found to have a good influence on the lives of certain inmates,
however they are restricted within the prison walls and do not include any aftercare programmes
to assist ex-convicts reintegrate into society. Ex-convicts may not be provided with these services
by the prisons ministry in Nsawam due to lack of resources and clear-cut policy from the criminal
justice system in Ghana on activities of prison ministries and prisoners’ rehabilitation.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS STUDIES IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY