Chief Justice Attributes Overcrowding in Prisons to Long Sentences
The Chief Justice of the Republic, His Lordship Justice Paul Baffoe-Bonnie, has partly attributed the overcrowding in the various correction centres or prisons to lengthy sentences imposed by judges.
He explained that coordinated efforts between the Judiciary and the Ghana Prisons Service are crucial to maintaining a peaceful nation and ensuring an efficient justice delivery system.
He therefore mentioned plans to invite the Prisons Service to interact with newly sworn-in judges of the circuit courts.
The CJ said this while expressing concern over the overcrowded state of Ghana’s prisons, highlighting it as a contributing factor for the establishment of the shift court system and the specialised courts to fast-track all cases brought before the court.
He made the remark during a courtesy call on the Director General of Prisons, Mrs Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (ESQ), on February 4, 2026, at the Prisons headquarters.
He emphasised the need for collaboration between the judiciary and the Ghana Prisons Service in ensuring public safety.
“I have realised there are so many cases at the courts that have not been attended to. In tackling this congestion in the courts, it is very necessary to set up the shift court system where cases would be heard in the morning and afternoon”.
Enumerating some long-standing challenges facing the Prison Service, Justice Baffoe-Bonnie, who was once a commissioned Prison officer, said his office stands ready to assist in the improved administration of justice.
He further called for enhanced collaboration in capacity building and the Justice For All Programme.
Meanwhile, three Justices of the Supreme and Appeal courts who were part of the delegation commended the Director-General of Prisons for her cooperation and assistance during the recent Justice For All Programme.
They assured her of their commitment to supporting the programme and requested the expansion of the service to all prison facilities.
The Chief Justice was accompanied by a high-level representation from the Judicial Service, including His Lordship Justice Henry Kwoffie, Justice of the Supreme Court; Her Ladyship Justice Angelina Mensah Honniah, Justice of the Court of Appeal; Prof. Raymond Atuguba, Director of the Ghana Law School; Her Ladyship Justice Serwah Asare Botwe, Justice of the Court of Appeal and Mr Musah Ahmed, Judicial Secretary.
The rest were Mr Joseph Ampong, Director of Communications; Mr Francis Baidoo, Director of Court Services; Mrs Jennifer K. Amoah, Secretary to the Chief Justice and Mr Papa Kwaku Maison, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation.
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