The senior correctional center formally called the Ghana Borstal Institute was established on 18th May 1947
Initially, it was under the department of Social Welfare until 1958 when the Ghana Prison Service took over its administration .Although it is under the Ghana Prisons Service, it philosophy is different form adult prison, as is emphasis is laid on vocational training .
In 2003, Juvenile Justice Act (Act 653) changed the name from Borstal Institution to it present name Senior Correctional Center with a wider scope in operational functions. In its mission statement the center aims at attaining 3Rs namely; Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of inmates into the society.
To accomplish that, various treatments are offered at the center; these includes Religion: to strengthen their moral fiber, special treatment by councilors, psychologist and other specialist, the teaching of vocations or trades such as carpentry tailoring etc. as well as formal and non formal education.
The question of reintegration is yet to be achieved as in involves other stake holders such as the general public, parents and so on.
Inmates of the center are there as a result of committing various offenses such as: Stealing, Unlawful entry, Assault, Rape and defilement, threatening as well as Drugs among others.
Previously, the inmates who are all boys serve a mandatory period three years, but under the Juvenile Justice Act (Act 653) they are now detained for a minimum period of three months to a maximum of three years depending upon the gravity of the offense.
The center is headed by a Deputy Director of Prisons assisted by Senior Officers and other ranks. All officers are tasked with various schedules and responsibilities and are to ensure the welfare of the boys. The Center is divided into five (5) departments namely; Welfare, Technical Service, Religious Affairs, Counseling Unit and Education and each is headed by Senior Prisons warden.
Admission
Inmates are ordered for detention by juvenile courts and admitted with requisite documents such as detention order from the court, a social inquiry report giving the profile of the boy (offender) as well as medical report indicating his fitness for detention.
On arrival for admission an inmate is bathed and supplied with bedding and clothing and certified health - wise by the center’s medical team. He is then given an orientation and counseling about the place by specialists before being accommodated in an observation Dormitory for a period depending upon the entire detention period. For instance a boy detained for three years needs to be observed from 6weeks to 10 weeks before being placed appropriately depending on his needs and interest.
Although all the staff Prison wardens, they are trained to handle juveniles in according with international standard taking into consideration their Human Rights.
A typical day at the Center
Daily activities begin with a rising bell at 6:00am, followed by cleaning of the surrounding. Breakfast is taken at 7:00am followed by a parade at which their number is checked and relevant information given to them by the officer on duty.
One unique feature of the center is that it caters for the needs of all inmates irrespective of their background. For instance there is Non-Formal education for the boys who have never been to formal education (illiterates) and that enable them to learn Literacy and Numeracy. For those who had their education truncated by the detention there is a Junior High School (JHS) where they enroll to study for the Basic Education School Certificate (BECE). By 10:00am when both class are over, the shops are opened for businesses of the day.
Lunch is taken at 13:00 hrs after which they go back to the shops for additional two hours lessons on theory and practicals. Games (indoor or outdoor) are held from 15:30hrs to 17:00hrs by which time super is taken and the dormitories are locked at 17:30hrs. (Final lockup)
Prospects
Among of the unique prospects of the center are; The Healthy officer –inmates relations as every officer is designated a Foster Father / Mother to fill the missing link that temped them into offenses (parental breakup). Inmates do not have criminal record after their discharge from the center and most often earn a certificate, be it in the Trades / vocation of the Basic Education Certificate after the JHS education.
Finally in line with the motto of the center, alumina of the center come from various segments of the society as some of them are Politicians, Medical officers, Journalist, Police /Army officers and Entrepreneur.
For further information contact
Alhassan M. Iddi
Email: iddiyama
