The Inhumane Treatment of People in Jail Centers: Rethinking the Duty to Protect the Health and Dignity of Prisoners in Ghana.

Abstract

While prisoners’ right to health care is recognized and protected under international human rights instruments and domestic constitution, it is also the case that majority of prisoners in Ghana, are subject to abusive treatment, inhuman conditions of living, and often denied basic access to medical treatment. This article argues, that read in light of international human rights instruments, WHO guidelines as well as the African Charter, the government, Judiciary and prison authorities in Ghana, owe it as an obligation to protect and respect the dignity of prisoners, including access to hygienic and humane living conditions. Keywords: Prisoners’ rights, access to health care, dignity, poor, sanitation, judiciary DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/94-21 Publication date : February 29 th 2020 Acknowledgment : I like to acknowledge Miss Lara Barbara Ofori, for reading and commenting on the draft of this article. However, all errors and limitations remain the sole responsibility of the author.