Sunyani (B/A) Jan. 29, GNA - Mr. Ambrose Salifu, Brong-Ahafo Regional Commander of the Ghana Prisons Service has stressed that the reformation of prisoners was the responsibility

of the entire society, prison officers and the inmates. He expressed regret that since society regarded ex-convicts as outcasts they therefore, tended to cause more serious offences with the intention to go back to prison.

Speaking at an end-of- year party organised by the Service, Deputy Director Salifu admonished society to embrace ex-convicts after serving their sentences.

"Ex-convicts should be accepted by society like a sick person who has been discharged from the hospital," he said.

The Regional Commander noted that in spite of inadequate facilities leading to congestion of inmates, the regional prison did not record a single escape last year.

"The station was able to achieve this success because of the human centred relations between the prison staff and the inmates", DDP Salifu said.

He urged the prisons staff to eschew hatred, backbiting and jealousy as such negative traits hindered progress within society. DDP Salifu expressed gratitude to the Regional Coordinating Council, Regional Director of Medical Services and philanthropists as well as religious bodies for their contributions towards the upkeep of the inmates. He later presented awards to two deserving retired prison officers.

They were Senior RSM John Mensah and Chief Officer Peter Cole Asmah.