Factors contributing to recidivism among inmates in selected Ghana prisons

Frank Baffour employed the critical social work theory, social learning theory, and labelling perspective to explore factors contributing to recidivism in selected prisons in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from 53 participants including 25 prison inmates who had served two or more terms of incarceration, 15 prison officers, and 13 community members. Findings suggest that reincarceration of the inmates was caused by systemic failures (overcrowding and inadequate rehabilitation) in the prisons and structural inequality in the community (labelling). Policy and practice implications are discussed

Criminal records and post-prison employment in Ghana: Formal and informal means of performing criminal background checks

This article contributes to the discussion on criminal record-keeping and post-prison employment from the perspective of a developing country. We present and discuss the results of a qualitative research based on interviews with 13 employers in Ghana about the use of criminal background checks in the hiring process. Data suggest a perceived lack of trust towards formerly incarcerated individuals primarily rooted in traditional cultural and moral values. Participants perceived that being associated with people with a criminal record is largely disapproved at the societal level. As a result, formerly incarcerated individuals are discriminated against in the employment setting. We also found that community dynamics and relations manage to overcome the lack of accuracy and reliability of state-provided criminal history information. Due to the absence of reliable access to criminal records through official channels, employers resort to informal means relying on community ties to get access to information about the past and character of job applicants. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for research, policy and practice

Recidivism: Exploring Why Inmates Re-Offend in a Prison Facility in Ghana

This study explores the causes of recidivism among inmates in a prison facility in Ghana. Eleven men who had served two or more terms of imprisonment, five prison officers who were in charge of rehabilitation, five community members, and two police officers (in Ghana, most offenses are prosecuted by the police) who had prosecuted at least three recidivists were interviewed. Based on the analysis, results suggest that the inmates were reincarcerated due to structural deficiencies (perceived overcrowding and inadequate rehabilitation in the prison), situational factors (perceived weak family ties during and post-prison), and personal or lifestyle factors (perceived laziness and reluctance to change on the part of some inmates). The limitations of the results have been highlighted and the need for future research has been discussed

Coping Strategies Adopted by Migrant Female Head-load Carriers Who Experienced IPV

The physical, sexual and reproductive, and mental health complications posed by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) raise problems that must be addressed by victims. This study presents qualitative data on the coping strategies employed by 20 head-load carriers (females who carry loads in a saucepan on the head for a fee) who were survivors of IPV. The findings indicate that the head-load carriers adopted strategies such as apologizing or fighting back (interpersonal coping); remaining silent (intrapersonal coping); seeking support from family, friends, or institutions (socio-personal coping); engaging in prayer and hope; and leaving the relationship. Future research and policy implications are also discussed

Perpetrators at first, victims at last: exploring the consequences of stigmatization on ex-convicts’ mental well-being

The article investigates ex-convicts’ experiences of stigmatization and its effect on their well-being in selected prisons in Ghana. Qualitative data were collected from 20 male inmates who, after residing for a time in the community, were thereafter reincarcerated. Findings indicate that these men were subjected to stigmatization and degrading treatment in the community, which limited their chances of securing lawful employment, establishing romantic relationships, and even maintaining platonic and family ties. As a result, this negatively impacted upon their mental well-being, leading some to substance abuse and suicide ideation. The article thereafter discusses policy and future research implications that arise from these findings

Prison Overcrowding and Harsh Conditions: Health and Human Rights Concerns to persons in custody, Staff and the Community

The article explored overcrowding in Ghana prisons and sought to understand its impact on the health and well-being of persons in custody and prison officers. Qualitative data from 38 participants who were serving terms or working in three prison facilities in Ghana revealed three themes, including (1) fear over the spread of communicable diseases, (2) limited access to basic resources, and (3) psychological and emotional burden, attributing them to overcrowding in the prisons. We discussed the findings from human rights and prison and public security perspectives and concluded that addressing overcrowding in prisons would ensure a healthy prison environment, which may have implications for the well-being and human rights of persons in custody, as well as public safety and the health of prison officers and the community. To achieve a healthy prison, policies should target prison depopulation and commitment from stakeholders to implement local and international prison rules and conventions

Doing Qualitative Research in a Controlled Site: Challenges, Lessons, and Strategies

This paper reflects on the process of undertaking qualitative research with incarcerated individuals and prison staff in selected Ghana prisons. The challenges encountered during the planning, approval, and fieldwork stages, as well as measures adopted to address these challenges, have been discussed. The paper aims to serve as a guide to novel prison researchers in the sub-Saharan African context, given that the majority of studies on challenges and approaches to conducting prison research have come from jurisdictions outside the region. To this end, given the unique nature of the prison governance system in Ghana and other sub-Saharan African countries, this paper contributes to filling a knowledge gap in qualitative prison research

Mental health experiences among inmates serving life sentences in Ghana prisons

In Ghana, a convicted person is not entitled to parole. The only hope for their return into the community is either completing the sentence or government amnesty. However, recidivists on life sentences are completely denied the chance of returning into the community. This coupled with the demand of adjusting to the country’s prison conditions affects the mental well-being of life-sentenced inmates. This study explored the mental health experiences of life-sentenced inmates. An interpretive phenomenological approach guided the analysis of qualitative data collected from 21 life-sentenced inmates who were serving terms in three selected prisons. We employed the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) and International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision (ICD-11) mental disorder symptomologies to situate the participants’ narration of their experiences. The participants reported feeling sad, hopelessness, and having sleepless days and nights due to thinking about their perceived spoiled plight. They also experienced stress and were fearful of uncertainties due to perceived prison officer apathy and harsh prison conditions. Additionally, the participants resorted to drug use as a means to cope with their mental health experiences. The participants’ descriptions of their experiences were consistent with some symptomologies of mental disorders as provided in the DSM-5 and ICD-11 and call for the creation of mental health treatment services in the country’s prisons to improve the mental health of inmates

Employing humanistic teaching approaches to promote student wellbeing in higher education

Given the increasing levels of stress, strain and anxiety brought about by “ongoing challenges of living independently, autonomous learning and peer competition [initially for better grades, and thereafter, for better jobs/careers] [as well as the] … financial challenges established by high tuition and living fees”, tertiary-level students from across the world have sadly been experiencing significant wellbeing issues, including mental health complications. There is therefore an urgent need for educators to employ innovative means of engaging students to neutralise stressful situations that may arise from these global tertiary educational trends, as well as the increasingly demanding pressures generated as a result of needing to adjust to new academic environments and teacher–student relationships in a current COVID-19, as well as a future post-pandemic, world. To that end, this chapter will attempt to put forward the suggestion that humanistic teaching approaches would be ideally suited to address this serious malady inflicting the higher education sector