A/HRC/25/60/Add.1
hepatitis or HIV. In the prisons he visited, the Special Rapporteur documented at least one
case of tuberculosis and a number of other suspected cases of infectious or contagious
diseases. Many places of detention have not received new supplies of drugs since 2012 and
are dependent on donations. The diagnostic centre at Nsawam prison was not operational
owing to the lack of supplies and Ankaful prison had insufficient medicine to equip its
medical clinic. A common feature of all prison infirmaries visited was the extremely
limited and insufficient supply of drugs administered to inmates, regardless of the
diagnosis and the need for specific medicine or treatment. As a result, inmates rely on
relatives to buy their medication.
Sanitation, sleeping arrangements, work and education opportunities
54.
In the prisons visited, it appeared that most inmates had access to water and the use
of a shower or bucket to wash. However, the level of hygiene was extremely poor owing to
overcrowding. The authorities stated that three prisons produced soap and distributed it to
the other prisons; however, inmates said that the limited amount of soap available led to
frequent skin irritations and other preventable health problems.
55.
Those who have access to a toilet often share it with over 100 prisoners and toilets
are often overflowing with excrement. Lockdown is generally from 4.30 p.m. to 6 a.m., so
at night the prisoners relieve themselves in buckets or plastic bags. The lack of light and
ventilation and the heat exacerbate the oppressive nature of the cells. Most inmates sleep
on the floor without a mattress, mat or blanket. In the rainy season, wet and damp
conditions contribute to poor health.
56.
The Special Rapporteur welcomes the efforts by the prison authorities to provide
inmates with educational opportunities and skills training (e.g. tailoring, carpentry,
weaving). However, as acknowledged by the authorities, those opportunities are very
limited; less than 10 per cent of inmates have access to training or work opportunities,
mostly owing to lack of resources. In particular, working materials and machines are
outdated or need maintenance. Even when opportunities do exist, for example at Ankaful
main camp, they are poorly attended by inmates. Some inmates said that their lengthy
sentences did not motivate them to participate in any programmes.
57.
Ankaful has excellent recreational facilities and at Nsawam there is a large field.
However, Kumasi prison, located in the centre of town, has only a small concrete area for
outside use. Communal prayer, in all faiths, appeared to be the main activity available.
58.
The Special Rapporteur observed education classes at Nsawam and Kumasi prisons
and a formal education programme is being introduced into the system, including at
Tamale and Wa Central prisons, but it has not yet reached all prisons owing to a lack of
infrastructure.
Discipline
59.
The Prisons Service Act applies progressive disciplinary steps of an incremental
nature, from the temporary denial of some benefits, to loss of remission, to the
implementation of more serious disciplinary procedures, such as solitary confinement for
up to 28 days, hard labour for up to 28 days, a reduction in food for up to 7 days and
corporal punishment in the form of caning. However, the official position of the Prisons
Service on caning is that it constitutes a criminal offence pursuant to section 25 of the Act.
60.
The Special Rapporteur inspected isolation cells used for major offences but did not
see any inmates being held in isolation. In fact, many of these cells are not used for
disciplinary measures but to house inmates temporarily, owing to overcrowding. The
prison authorities stated that an inmate might be held in an isolation cell for between three
and seven days but that isolation for prolonged periods was not a practice, even for serious
disciplinary offences. In cases of severe misbehaviour, an ad hoc panel that includes a
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