Tamale Prison Officers trained to tackle inmate mental health under Hope Beyond Walls Project
Thirty (30) prison officers at the Tamale Central Prison have received essential skills training to identify, manage, and respond to mental health challenges within the correctional facility. The training session focused on mental health assessment and early detection of psychological issues among inmates at the Tamale Central Prison
It was organized by Savannah Alliance Ghana with funding from the KGL foundation, as part of the ongoing Hope Beyond Walls Project.
It aligns with the broader objective of the project, which seeks not only to support inmates but to transform the institutional culture within prisons in Ghana. By empowering prison officers, the project ensures sustainability beyond direct service delivery.
This marks a major step in the implementation of the 12-month initiative aimed at improving the mental health and educational outcome of short-term inmates. By investing in the capacity of correctional staff, the project is laying the foundation for a more rehabilitative humane prison environment.
Project manager at Savannah Alliance Ghana, Desmond Puopelle Banye, noted that “this is not just a one-time session, it is part of a system-wide shift toward treating inmates with dignity and preparing them for life after incarceration. Officers who understand mental health become agents of rehabilitation, not just enforcement”.
Northen regional commander of the Tamale Central Prisons, DDP Joseph Asabre, said “this is an opportunity to transform the image of the prison system in Ghana in-line with the Nelson Mandela Rules”.
Mental health specialist for the project, Dr. William Frank Bill Koomsom, on his part stated that ”equipping officers with the ability to recognize and respond to mental health issues is crucial. They are on the front lines every day and can make the difference between silent suffering and meaningful support”.
Statistics show that approximately 10.4 million prisoners worldwide suffer from mental health-related issues. Ghana’s prison system, like many globally, faces significant mental health challenges. Overcrowding, trauma, and lack of access to professional care leave many inmates vulnerable. The Hope Beyond Walls project directly addresses these issues by integrating mental health care into everyday prison operations.
With continued support from the KGL foundation, the project will also provide direct counseling to inmates, deliver education and life skills training, and develop partnerships with health care providers and community leaders to support reintegration.
This training is a clear signal that mental health is no longer being sidelined in Ghana’s correctional agenda of the Ghana Prison Service. It’s being recognized, addressed, and integrated where it’s most urgently needed.
Source: zaagana.com/Lilian D. Walter
