Kumasi, Dec. 29, GNA - Seven inmates of the Kumasi Central Prisons died within January to December this year through HIV/AIDS. Mr. Ambrose Salifu, Deputy Director of Prisons in-charge of Ashanti Region, who announced this, attributed the deaths to lack of support and co-operation from some health care givers in the region who refused to give the necessary medical attention to the invalid inmates. Mr Salifu made the disclosure in Kumasi when the Most Reverend Peter Akwasi Sarpong, Catholic Archbishop of Kumasi conducted a service for the prisoners after adopting the prison 35 years ago.

He stated that as a result of the closure of the James Fort Prisons this year, the Kumasi Central Prisons which is supposed to take a maximum of 600 inmates has now 1,693 because it had to absorb some prisoners from the James Fort.

This, he said, has led to the current congestion in the prison and does not augur well for their health as it could lead to the spread of infections and other diseases, saying in case of any outbreak it would be disastrous.

The Deputy Director commended Archbishop Sarpong for his tremendous support for the Prison Service over the years, that he adopted the facility which had brought great relief and comfort to both staff and the inmates.

Mr. Salifu also eulogized the Catholic Church for its regular visit to all prison homes in the region to either donate items, counsel or share the word of God and used the opportunity to appeal to the church and other religious groups to help erect a shed in the home to be used for recreational purposes.

Archbishop Sarpong called on the inmates not to give up hope in life even after they have served their terms but reflect soberly on what went wrong in their lives and change for the better. He also commended the prisons authorities for their collaborative efforts and the good reception given to him anytime he visited the home and pledged to continue to pray and support the inmates.