The Nsawam Medium Security Prison, originally designed to house 717 inmates, is now holding a staggering 3,548 prisoners, prompting serious concerns over human rights, health, and safety.
The shocking statistics were revealed during a recent inspection by the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights.
“As a service, I was shocked by the overcrowding situation we have within the cell,” said Committee Chairman Hon. Ernest Yaw Anim. “Nsawam Prison was originally built with the capacity of 717, but currently they have up to 3,548 within there,” he added.
The situation inside the prison has reached crisis levels, with dormitories meant for 20 inmates now housing over 430, according to Deputy Director of Prisons Patrick Thomas Seidu. Hon. Anim warned of the looming health risks associated with such congestion.
“It’s quite worrying, because if there is any communicable disease that breaks out in the cells, a lot more of these people are going to be affected,” he cautioned.
Alongside the overcrowding challenge, the prison continues to operate on an outdated feeding budget of GH¢1.80 per prisoner per day—a rate that has not been reviewed since 2011 despite steep inflation and rising food costs.
Beyond feeding and congestion, the Committee uncovered further systemic problems: the prison owes over GH¢500,000 to the National Health Insurance Scheme and GH¢200,000 in unpaid medication bills.
“These are issues we need to bring up in front so government can immediately intervene,” Hon. Anim reiterated.
He also disclosed plans to work with stakeholders to secure NHIS cards for all inmates. The facility also lacks basic resources including functioning vehicles, legal aid access, and visitor screening tools.
The Committee has pledged to prioritize these issues in Parliament, emphasizing that “providing enough space for prisoners is one step at a time,” but the urgency of addressing overcrowding and health challenges cannot be overstated.
