Rejection, stigma drive some ex-convicts back to prison – Crime Check Foundation Director

The Executive Director of the Crime Check Foundation, Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, has attributed the return of some former prisoners to incarceration to societal rejection, stigma, and the difficulties they face in reintegrating into their communities after release.

He said many ex-convicts struggle to rebuild their lives because they are often treated with suspicion and denied acceptance and opportunities, leaving some vulnerable to returning to prison.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law programme on Sunday, November 8, Mr Kwarteng said the experiences of some former inmates who had repeatedly been in and out of prison highlighted the challenges associated with life after incarceration.

He recalled that two former prisoners who shared their experiences on the programme had each been imprisoned three or four times, raising concerns about the circumstances that drive some people back into the correctional system.

According to him, the uncertainty surrounding life after release, coupled with what he described as cultural rejection, makes it difficult for former inmates to establish themselves and become productive members of society.

He argued that although former prisoners are expected to reform and reintegrate into their communities, the stigma attached to their past often undermines those efforts.

Mr Kwarteng therefore called on the media to play a more active role in changing public perceptions of people who have served prison sentences.

He said negative headlines, stereotyping and the continued labelling of former inmates could damage their confidence and make it harder for them to rebuild their lives.

“I think those of us in the media have a huge responsibility to change the narrative,” he said.

He added that meaningful reintegration would remain difficult unless the media reconsidered how it portrays former prisoners and stopped reinforcing negative stereotypes.

“We need to change the media narrative, the stereotyping, the stigma if we want proper reintegration and reformation of ex-convicts,” he stressed.

Mr Kwarteng warned that without adequate support, the country could continue to experience high levels of reoffending, referring to figures suggesting that about 30 per cent of former inmates return to prison.

He, however, noted that the circumstances surrounding a former prisoner's return should be examined carefully, arguing that not every case necessarily reflects a deliberate decision to engage in criminal activity again.

He also raised concerns about the financial difficulties inmates face immediately after their release, particularly the limited support provided to help them return to their communities.

According to him, the Ghana Prisons Service provides some released inmates with about GH¢15 to facilitate their journey home, an amount he believes is insufficient to meet their transportation needs.

“How do you expect them to use GH¢15 to get to their destination?” he asked.

He explained that returning to the larger society comes with several challenges, including finding accommodation, securing employment and overcoming the stigma associated with having a criminal record.

The Crime Check Foundation Executive Director called for greater collaboration among government, the media and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen support systems for former prisoners.

He also criticised what he described as the failure of successive governments to sustain adequate services and support for inmates, both during incarceration and after their release.

Mr Kwarteng maintained that rehabilitation should not end when a prisoner walks out of the prison gates, insisting that meaningful reform requires deliberate efforts to ensure former inmates can secure livelihoods and regain acceptance in society.

He said a more supportive approach would help reduce the barriers facing former prisoners and give them a better opportunity to rebuild their lives without returning to crime.