James Fort Inmates Re-Located To Nsawam

By Stephen Kwabena Effah
Saturday, 03 November 2007

The Ghana Prisons Service has begun the relocation of inmates of James Fort Prison in Accra, following the Ghana Bar Association’s call for the closure of the prison three weeks ago because of its dilapidated state.

The relocation, estimated to cost ¢5.8 billion, started yesterday with the transfer of all the 28 females on remand at the James Fort Female Prison. At exactly 1.50 pm, they were taken to the Nsawam Female Prison on board a Prison Service bus.

About 1,000 inmates, both male and female are expected to be transferred from James Fort.

Speaking to the Times before their transfer, the Chief Public Relations Officer, DSP Gloria F.Dzakdey, said the transfer of the inmates followed a decision by the government which was communicated to the service yesterday.

She said arrangements have been made at the receiving prison to ensure their safe transfer, after which the female prisons will be closed down.

Asked about measures put in place for the inmates to attend court proceedings, she said "those already there are always brought to Accra when they are to appear before a court, so transportation will not be a problem."

The male inmates DSP Dzakdey said will be relocated soon, but she did not give further details on where and when they will be relocated.

She said that the Prisons Headquarters is yet to decide where to assign the officers at the James Fort Prison to now that the inmates have been moved from there.