Chief Justice discuss ways to enhance criminal justice system

A delegation from the Ghana Prisons Service has paid a courtesy call on the acting Chief Justice, Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, to discuss possible collaborations and how to resolve operational gaps between the Service and the Judiciary, two critical pillars of the nation’s criminal justice system.

The meeting was also aimed at discussing concerns about remand inmates spending extended periods in prison and the improvement of Electronic Case Management to monitor the status of inmate cases.

The Prisons delegation was led by the Director General, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie and included some members of the Prisons Directorate, while some judges from the Supreme, Appeal and High Courts were also in attendance.

Prisons’ concerns

Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie briefed the acting Chief Justice on the strategic reforms and forward-looking initiatives being implemented across prison facilities nationwide.

She also talked about the need for a Parole discussion board, comprising the Judiciary, the Police, and the Prison Services, to enhance system efficiency.

Mrs. Baffoe-Bonnie further raised concerns about pregnancy tests conducted on female inmates before sentencing.

“The synergy between the Judiciary and the Prisons Service is essential for the effective administration of justice in our country,” Mrs Baffoe-Bonnie stressed, proposing a joint training session for officers and the Judiciary to create a platform for information sharing and inter-institutional understanding.

Collaboration important

Justice Baffoe-Bonnie commended the Director General for her leadership and commitment to prison reforms, emphasising the importance of collaboration between the two institutions.

The acting Chief Justice also highlighted the need for a Prisons Service Council in every district, with a Judicial Service member visiting prisons regularly to address inmate concerns.

He also emphasised the commitment of the leadership of Ghana’s justice sector to fostering institutional cooperation and improving service delivery.

Such collaborative efforts, he explained, were expected to contribute significantly to the ongoing transformation of the country’s criminal justice system.