An investigation by the Ombudsman Commission resulted in the successful separation of a former policeman now a Prisoner from being attacked by high-risk prisoners while serving his term in a prison facility.
On 12 April 2023, the Ombudsman Commission commenced an administrative investigation into allegations of human rights violations within a Correctional Institution. The Commission received complaints from a Prisoner who was a former policeman who was attacked by high-risk prisoners while inside the prison facility. The Complainant said that he was physically assaulted and threatened by high-risk prisoners who served their terms inside the facility as they have a “general hate feeling against all police personnel”.
The former policeman was convicted of stealing and was sent to the Correctional Institution to serve his jail term of two years when he started receiving verbal abuses and physical assaults from high-risk prisoners inside the facility. He complained of being attacked on many instances and sought assistance from the Ombudsman Commission alleging that his human rights were abused by fellow prisoners.
The Commission’s investigation into the complaint revealed that the Complainant was assaulted on three occasions by high-risk prisoners. The first assault took place on 1 April 2023. The second assault happened on 2 April 2023 and the third on 7 April 2023 after the Complainant had received medical treatment and when he was taken back to the Correctional Facility.
The investigation also confirmed that the Complainant was brutally assaulted by the other Prisoners inside the Correctional Facility for the reason that Policemen are responsible for their incarcerations.
In addition to the above findings, there is no separate confinement area for convicted police officers and high-ranking Public officials to prevent them from being assaulted by other prisoners.
As a result of the Commission’s investigation, the Commander of the Correctional Institution separated the Complainant and placed him in the Juvenile Section of the facility while he awaits his appeal to the higher courts.
The result of the Ombudsman Commission’s investigation was sent to the Member of Parliament representing the District where the Correctional Facility is located. As a result, the Member of Parliament made a funding commitment of K200,000.00 for the construction of a building for separate confinement for convicted police officers and members of other disciplinary forces as well as political and high-ranking public officials.
The confinement building is intended to dissolve the possible human rights violations and the overcrowding issues faced at the correctional facility.
Thankyou OC.
Every individual, regardless of their circumstances or legal status, possesses inherent rights that are fundamental to their dignity and humanity. Upholding the rights of prisoners is not only a legal imperative but also a moral obligation grounded in the principles of human dignity, equality, and justice.