Counselling Needs of Ghanaian Prisoners: The case of Ankaful and Kumasi Central prisons

Abstract

The study was a descriptive survey that investigated the counselling needs of prisoners, specifically, at Anakaful and Kumasi Central prisons in Ghana. The sample size for the study was two hundred and three, including one hundred and seventy-nine inmates, two sectional heads at the prisons, two regional heads of the social welfare department and two heads of the counseling sections at the prisons. Data was collected through the use of use an interview schedule and interview guide.The findings showed that most of the inmates had advanced social and psychological problems that has to be addressed by a well-programmed counselling sessions. Most prisoners did not enjoy visits from families this, hinders successful reintegration of ex-convicts into the society. Families with relatives in prison should be counselled in order to overcome the challenges they encounter. The recidivism rate in Ghana is 4.5%. To stem the tide of recidivism in Ghana it is imperative to know the counselling needs of Ghanaian prisoners. Also, the study showed that the background characteristics of the inmates was critical in designing counselling programmes for them. This factor was rarely considered in designing the counselling programmes, therefore, the inmates donot patronise the services.

Keywords: Prison, counselling, ex-convicts, recidivism