Inmates of Nsawam Medium Security Prison have entreated electorates to stay away from election-related violence and any other illegal acts in the upcoming December polls that may lead to incarceration.

Speaking to JoyNews' Seth Kwame Boateng, the inmates lamented on their plight in the overcrowded prison and cautioned the youth not to engage in violent activities that may land them there.

“This is not a place to be at all and that is why we are urging Ghanaians, especially the youth not to allow themselves to be manipulated to engage in violent activities which will end them here,” One of the inmates said.

A female inmate also said, “I am pleading with you in the name of God, let’s vote with love, unity and peace.”  

On his part, the Director-General of Ghana Prisons Service, Patrick Darko Missah said the current prison population is 13,333 which is close to 150 per cent its holding capacity of 9,500.

The Director of Prisons in charge of Operations and Welfare of Inmates hinted that the serious congestion across all prison facilities in Ghana coupled with the harsh conditions makes managing the prisons very difficult.

“Ensuring safe custody and welfare of the inmate becomes very difficult when we have overcrowding in our prisons.”

According to reports, the Nsawum medium-capacity prison was built to accommodate 817 inmates but presently holds about 3000 inmates, but the number at some point was about 3500.

Over the years many have been arrested for elections-related crimes like ballot box snatching, double voting and impersonation, with some having to serve various jail terms.

The Nsawam Medium Security Prison maintained that this should not repeat itself as the country heads to the polls in about two weeks.