A human rights advocate, Dr Abena Asomaning Antwi, has reiterated the need for the country to consider non-custodial sentencing for persons who commit minor crimes.

This follows the congestion in the country’s prisons and the government’s inability to cater to inmates adequately.

Speaking on the Super Morning Show on Wednesday, Dr Antwi explained that women do not pose any risk when punished without being put behind bars hence the need to consider non-custodial sentencing.

 “Non-custodial sentencing has been begging to be prioritised in the judicial system for a long time."

According to her, although the women may have gone contrary to the law, “being taken away from your family, especially if you have children, might negatively impact the children's socialisation.”

“The advocate particularly for women because it provides the opportunity to serve sentences without being cut off from family, which is key to every woman,” she said.

She added that “When the woman is allowed to serve a sentence in the environment on home or the society, they are not cut off from their economic ventures, so they can still take care of themselves particularly if they are in a trade or a little kind of service and they are dependent.”

Also contributing to the discussion was private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu who called for reforms in the country’s sentencing regime.

According to him, the current sentencing regime, which subjects prisoners to long-term jail, has not effectively reformed prisoners since most of them return as hardened criminals after staying there for many years.

He added that the prison conditions also play a part in the hardening of criminals.