Mentally challenged prisoners to receive psychosocial, art therapy

From December this year, inmates with mental health challenges at seven prisons across the country will start receiving psychosocial support and art therapy as part of a newly launched initiative in Accra.

Psychosocial support involves providing emotional, social, and psychological assistance to help individuals improve their mental well-being, resilience, and ability to cope, especially in challenging situations.

The project, titled "Enhancing Access to Psychosocial Support and Arts in Prisons in Ghana," will benefit inmates at the Nsawam Medium Security, Kumasi Central, Sunyani, Koforidua, Winneba, Awutu Senya Camp, and Ho Prisons.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Crime Check Foundation (CCF), a non-governmental organization, in partnership with the Ghana Prisons Service (GPS) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 

It aims to bolster psychosocial support for prisoners through both individual and group psychotherapy sessions led by psychologists and psychiatrists.

In her remarks at the launch, the Deputy Director-General of Administration of the Ghana Prisons Service, Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, highlighted the importance of psychosocial support in addressing the mental health needs of inmates, many of whom have faced traumatic experiences that contributed to their criminal behavior.

Regarding arts therapy, Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie noted that it offers inmates the opportunity to acquire new skills and build a sense of accomplishment and self-worth through activities like visual arts, music, drama, and writing.

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie also reaffirmed the Prisons Service's commitment to working with relevant stakeholders to ensure the mental well-being of both prisoners and prison staff.

Representatives from various organizations attended the event, including the UNODC, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), the GPS, the Judicial Service, the Mental Health Authority, and the Department of Psychology and Theatre Arts.

On his part, the Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation, Mr. Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, urged the government to increase the budget allocation for the prison service to improve living conditions for inmates.

Mr. Kwarteng also emphasized the importance of passing the non-custodial bill into law, arguing that it would help reform offenders by encouraging them to contribute positively to their communities.