On the streets of Accra, a new phenomenon is emerging involving prisoners pleading for alms.
The majority of inmates are brought out to smoke marijuana under the surveillance of prison staff.
Kwame Anyimadu Antwi, a member of parliament for Asante Akim Central, claims that on occasion these inmates abandon their work and ask motorists for money.
The lawmaker, who is also the Chairman of the Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, stated that it is unlawful and Ghanaians must not tolerate it.
According to his opinion, prisoners are not permitted to solicit and should not receive money, food, or other items directly.
"It should be the responsibility of the prison officers accompanying the inmates, not the inmates themselves, to accept any money, substance, or material item that a prisoner voluntarily wishes to donate," he urged.
According to him, the penitentiary, which is a correctional facility, reforms the individual, and if such items fall into the hands of others, they could be used to exacerbate their circumstances.
In an exclusive interview with Adomonline.com, Mr. Antwi cautioned prison guards who wait for such occurrences to review their notes and duties.
Again, he has urged the state to reevaluate the correctional facilities in Ghana, as inmates are to be reformed and given skills, particularly the unskilled, so they can be properly integrated into society upon their release.