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Inmates of the Awutu Camp Prison in the Central Region have deplored the cold reception given to ex-convicts
According to them, such reception make them feel unwelcome in the society, thereby compelling some of them to go back to engage in acts that would send them back to prison.

The inmates have, therefore, called on society to continue to help them to reform by accepting them so they could contribute their quota to national development.

All the inmates at the Awutu Camp Prison were transferred from other central prisons in the country. 

They first go to the central prison, serve part of their sentences and then they are taken to the Awutu Prison when they are about to be discharged.

They told The Mirror in separate interviews that stigmatisation was one negative thing that was drawing back the reforms they had gone through while in prison and added that philanthropists, public-spirited individuals and organisations should also help them to fully get integrated in the society. 

One of the prisoners, Daniel Atugubah, said they were taken through some income generating activities at the Awutu Camp Prison so that when they came out they could set up their own businesses. 

The skill-training ventures they are taken through include rearing goats and pigs and poultry production, grasscutter rearing, kente and basket weaving as well as vegetable production.

“What I expect is for the society to welcome us wholeheartedly. The perception that because we came from prison  we are still criminals is bad,” he said.

Another inmate, Yaw Thomas, indicated that they were learning a lot of things to become better and reformed by the time they came out of prison.

“Sometimes when you try to go close to people or mingle with them, they shun your company. Such a thing will definitely make you feel bad and dejected,” he said.

Another inmate who gave his name only as Adu said the stigmatisation could take ex-convicts back to prison because in prison the person would feel welcomed and accepted by his friends.

Personally, he said, there was no way he would be affected by stigmatisation because he had reformed properly to put his life back together when he returned from prison.