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The Chaplain of the Kumasi Central Prisons, Reverend Stella Katso is encouraging regular visits of prison inmates as their isolation, coupled with rejection from family and loved ones, affects their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Prisons are supposed to be correctional facilities, however, inmates are often left to their fate battling jail sentences and rejection from the free world.
Consistent checkups and engagement from relatives and friends have been acknowledged as vital for prisoners’ rehabilitation and reintegration into society. .
Reverend Katso believes the visits help inmates maintain their mental and emotional well-being.
“Prisoners here think they are rejected. And for some, family members do not even care or visit them. Here is a restricted area so people are not allowed to come here often. But when visitors come here, it puts smiles on their faces. And gives them hope, helping them emotionally and psychologically,” she said.
Rev. Stella Katso was speaking in appreciation of a visit and donation by members of the Calvary Charismatic Center (CCC) led by Pastor Joshua Obeng.
The church donated food items, toiletries and other consumables valued at GHȼ100,000 to three prisons including the Amanfrom, Manhyia and the Kumasi Central Prisons.
According to Pastor Obeng, the gesture is in fulfilment of the church’s mandate to extend Christ-like love and support to persons in need.
He admonished the public to emulate the compassionate gesture of accepting and acting positively towards prisoners and ex-convicts.
“It’s very important that as a church we engage the prisons and hospitals. We think that as a country it is important to realise that prisoners also have human rights and are human beings. And as Christians and a church Jesus commissioned us to show our love and be concerned about prisoners, the sick and people having difficulties,” he said.
