A week ago, the Student Representative Council (SRC) of Kings University College (KUC), led by SRC President Ing. Mawuko Elonai Kwame Agbevenu made a significant donation to the Nsawam Medium Security Prison.
The donation, which took place on September 20, included essential items such as food, toiletries, drinks, and water. Both inmates and prison officers benefited from the gesture.
The visit aimed to support the rehabilitation efforts at the prison, improve living conditions, and strengthen the relationship between the prison and the wider community.
Nsawam Prison, initially designed to hold 717 inmates, currently houses close to 4,000, leading to overcrowding and the need for external support. Despite these challenges, the prison remains focused on rehabilitation by offering educational and vocational programs that prepare inmates for reintegration into society.
During the visit, KUC students observed inmates studying through a distance degree program, reflecting the prison’s dedication to education.
In his remarks, Mr Agbevenu emphasized the importance of societal support for correctional facilities, urging philanthropists and organizations to contribute toward improving prison conditions. He highlighted the critical role of rehabilitation in transforming prisons into spaces of hope and reform, rather than mere confinement.
He remarked, “Our prisons need more than just confinement spaces; they need hope, support, and rehabilitation. Together, we can make a difference.”
This initiative demonstrated the positive impact of student leadership in addressing social issues and highlighted the importance of collective responsibility in building a more rehabilitative, as well as humane society, and both prison officials and inmates expressed deep gratitude for the kindness and thoughtfulness shown by KUC students.
The donation was more than just a provision of material needs; it also underscored the shared humanity between inmates and the outside world. The SRC’s act of goodwill sparked discussions about society’s responsibility in supporting the rehabilitation of offenders.
Established in 1960, Nsawam Medium Security Prison is a key institution in Ghana’s criminal justice system. It plays a vital role in reforming offenders by providing education, healthcare, and vocational training with the goal of reducing recidivism and helping inmates reintegrate into society.