Interior Minister Mark Woyongo says government has acquired land for the construction of a new prison complex in the Upper East Regional capital, Bolgatanga.

This is part of measures to reduce congestion in prisons there and across the country.

Although there are two prisons in the region, the Bawku prison is the only detention centre in the region and is said to be overcrowded.

Mr Woyongo was speaking to journalists after touring the Navrongo Central constituency to inspect some ongoing projects.

He said two land sites have already been acquired and once a preferred site is selected, construction will begin.

Government’s determination to build more detention facilities has been heightened by Joy News’ documentary, ‘Locked and Forgotten’ which highlighted the plight of remand prisoners in the country's various prisons.

Following the documentary judges on the Justice for all programme have freed some remand prisoners in the Eastern Region who have been held for several years without trial.

The Interior Minister said he is impressed by reactions following the documentary which highlighted the state of the country’s prisons.

The documentary will help ease pressure in the prisons even though it will not be drastic, Mr Woyongo noted.