DAYCARE CENTER AT THE NSAWAM FEMALE PRISON, GHANA

The Ghana Nsawam Prisons Service has a female inmate population of about 250, mostly between the ages of 20 and 75 years. Majority of these inmates are single mothers of children under age 18. The Service has since 2016 admitted about 50 pregnant women and 24 nursing mothers into custody. Five out of every 50 women come to prison pregnant and are usually between the ages of 22 and 30 .

An infant is allowed to reside with the mother in the prison until s/he is weaned at twelve months or a little longer upon the advice of a medical officer before handing them over to a relative, who in most cases does not even want to receive these unfortunate babies. When this happens, these infants are kept in the prison until the social welfare department takes custody of the child.

A major challenge faced is the inability of the prison system to provide a conducive environment for the development of these babies. Babies are kept in crowded cells with their mothers in very unfavorable conditions

Secondly, nursing mothers are unable to fully participate and concentrate on trade training programs targeting their rehabilitation and reformation. Most nursing mothers admitted into these programs either give up the training sessions or try their best to participate but take away little or nothing from these sessions due to their divided attention caring for their infants.

There is a desperate need to set up a Daycare Center outside the prison walls but close enough in order for the mothers to provide the needed attention to their babies.

The Daycare will provide professional care for the child’s development. Inmates’ children get the opportunity to interact with other children of both officers and civilians for their early childhood development.

Woman Rediscovered in partnership with Nsawam branch of the Prison Ladies Association, is setting up a Daycare Center to meet the needs of nursing mothers in prison custody.

We are happy to announce that the construction of this daycare has commenced with limited funds! We are seeking additional partnerships to complete this project.