Govt incapable of providing jobs for freed prisoners - Interior minister

daniel russell

July 1, 2015 12:46 PM

There are fears that since there are no jobs for the released prisoners to do in their respective communities, they may get themselves back into jail.

The Minister of Interior, Mark Woyongo has indicated that government is not capable of providing any kind of assistance to the 900 prisoners who have just been pardoned by President John Mahama.

He told Kasapa FM’s Maame Broni that although government feels the need to help, the lack of resources makes it difficult to make any meaningful offer.

“The ideal thing would have been to provide jobs for them but unfortunately we are not in the position to do so until we are in the position to empower the prisoner to become productive to be able to generate their own revenue.

“Until such time when they are able to generate money, take care of themselves while they are in prison and keep some until the first time when they are released, I don’t think that government is in a position to help,” he said.

President Mahama in exercise of his presidential power of mercy granted 900 prisoners amnesty on Tuesday. There are fears that since there are no jobs for the released prisoners to do in their respective communities, they may get themselves back into jail.

daniel russell