Drug peddling is an activity allegedly being executed and patronised by prison officers and inmates at the Nsawam Prison in the Greater Accra Region.
A male ex-convict who served time at the Nsawam Prison made this revelation during an interview with Onua FM’s Maakye Show’s host, Captain Smart.
He noted that such activity has been thriving due to starvation and the use of force by those in authority at the facility.
According to him, feeding at Nsawam Prison is appalling hence inmates are left with no other choice than to engage in buying and selling of all sort of items including drugs.
With regards to the use of force by those in power, the ex-con revealed that prisoners with lighter sentences are forced to engage in such business.
“The main issue is hunger. There is hunger in Nsawam Prison. Also, inmates are forced to engage. If you have a lesser sentence, there is a particular work you’d be compelled to do. The Chief Order will call for you.
The food they provide is nothing to write home about and someone who does not have anything to eat will to the outside gang. He will then bring the stuff to the yard to sell so he can get money to purchase food in the yard.
We sell the stuff in the yard. We sell them (tramadol, cigarette, wee, cocaine). Some of the inmates who have severe sentence give out money. Some give the money to the officer and let him know that if your boy is coming, I want these items,” he recounted.
He further noted that some prison officers also allow sellers they are acquainted with to come into the facility to sell their goods.
“Some even demand things from the Volta Region and the items are received by a prison officer. They go out with the officer and bring the stuff into the yard,” he continued.
Alcoholic beverages are also accessible to inmates, the ex-con noted. Due to security reasons, majority of alcoholic beverages come in plastic, however, those in power, have access to bottles.
“There is alcohol is prison. The only thing you may not find are bottles but if you are a black coat, can get them.”
A black coat is an inmate who has served a long time in prison.
The use and sale of drugs in correctional facilities such as prison is against the laws of the land,