UG Social Work students schooled on ‘Think Prisons 360 degrees’ initiative

The Senior Correctional Centre (SCC) has initiated a lecture session to broaden the horizon of level 400 students at the Social Work Department of the University of Ghana (UG).

The initiative is under the auspices of the Counselling Unit and OIC of the Station, in consultation with the University.

The inaugural lecture delved into education of Social Work students about the role of Ghana Prisons Service and its core mandates, while emphasising the need for counseling as a psychological intervention for inmates mental health and well-being.

It also gave clearer insights about what was required of them in contributing their quota to creating awareness about the Service’s reformational agenda.

The session forms part of the ‘Think Prisons 360 degrees’ initiative, a collaborative efforts of the SCC Counseling Unit to conscientise the final year students of their roles as future social workers.

ASP Alfred Nii Arday Ankrah, a Public Relation Personnel highlighted on the core roles of the Service which include the welfare of inmates, safe custody of inmates, reformation and rehabilitation of inmates, respectively.

Discussing the ‘Think Prisons 360 degree’ agenda birthed by the Director General of the service, DGP Patience Baffoe-Bonnie Esq, Mr Ankrah enumerated the five core pillars of the initiative which include welfare of inmates and staff, agriculture mechanisation, industrialisation, wealth creation and strategic relations.

DSP Belinda Adjei-Attah, Head of SCC Counselling Unit schooled the final year students about the role of counseling as a pivotal reformational tool in the service with the tendency to enhance inmates’ psychological needs.

DSP Adjei-Attah further highlighted how Prison Officers and social workers could work together to reduce recidivism.

DSP Eugene Ansu Ohene-Tutu, a Counseling Personnel at SCC further elaborated on the role of social workers in aiding psychosocial interventions, expanding support systems and bringing in-house psychiatrists to help circumnavigate inmates’ mental health.

Dr Abena Oforiwa Ampomah, Lecturer at the Department commended the Senior Officers for their time with the final year students and commended the Officer-In-Charge of SCC, DDP Yayra Ashong Mettle, for releasing the officers to make such a memorable lecture.

By Spectator Reporter