JUSTICE FOR ALL PROGRAM

JFAP has significantly contributed to the reduction of the Remand prisoner population from 33% in 2007 to 8.9% as of May 2024 through the Special Mobile In-prison Court sittings

Justice for All can serve as a model of best practice to decongest Africa’s overcrowded prisons and provide sustainable legal
support. Ghana’s criminal justice system, though admired by many countries in the region, faces alarming prison overcrowding
rates in addition to long pre-trial/remand cases. The Justice for All Program (JFAP) helps alleviate prison overcrowding by setting up mobile in-prison special courts to adjudicate remand/pre-trial prisoner cases throughout the country. This initiative is a unique partnership between the state (criminal justice institutions led by the judicial service) and civil society organizations in Ghana.
Policy/Law Reforms
Identifying and blocking legislative/policy loopholes within the criminal justice system in order to support prison decongestion. Activities include the implementation of a non-custodial sentencing regime (community services, parole and probation), drug policy reforms, the use of paralegals to strengthen prisoners' legal aid, the decriminalization and classification of petty offences and other crime, and introducing technology in case management in line with the Mandela Rules.

Access to Justice intervention programs
The Justice For All and In-Prison Paralegal Programs establish a mobile virtual special court to review remand cases, and train prisoners and officers as paralegals to assist fellow convict prisoners to appeal their cases. Providing sustainable legal support and representation for inmates without financial commitment to their freedom, the intervention programs can easily be replicated in prisons around the world.
In prison paralegal program

How It works

In order to ensure the delivery of justice and deal with the backlog of remand cases as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, the POS Foundation organized virtual court sittings, donated personal protective equipment (PPE) and organized training exercises to selected prisons across the country. The POS Foundation and its able team of paralegals and lawyers visit prisons across Ghana to interview and file cases on behalf of prisoners, ensuring cases are being heard in a special mobile prison court in a timely and effective manner. These Justice for All virtual court sittings will continue to ensure the promotion and protection of human rights among prisoners are upheld amidst the Covid- 19 pandemic and beyond. Following initial criticism, the program has since expanded to extend the same In-prison paralegal program (IPP) to convicted prisoners; both prison inmates and officers receiving paralegal training to assist convict inmates in appealing their cases by self-representation.

Key Statistics from In-Prison Court Sittings

Click to preview reports

PrisonYearTotal CasesDischargedConvicted & SentencedGranted BailRefused BailStruck OutAbsentReferred for Treatment
Sunyani Central Prison2015411749722-
Sunyani Central Prison20178222-29225-4 (Psychiatric)
Kpando Local Prison201710--81--1 (Medical)
Ho Central Prison201747132515--2 (Medical)
Nsawam Medium Security Prison2017577-412--5 (Medical)
Obuasi Local Prison20183852 (Imprisoned)1610--1 (Psychiatric)
Tarkwa Local Prison20182411148---
Ankaful Annex Prison20182911 (Imprisoned)1193-1 (Psychiatric)
Winneba Local Prison201812-1 (Bonded)542--
Akuse Local Prison2018374-242-51 (Psychiatric)
Nsawam Medium Security Prison2018506-24182--
Kumasi Central Prison201810572532015-8 (Psychiatric)
Ho Central Prison2018342-1793-3 (Psychiatric)
Navrongo Prison20181111 (Bonded)71---
Tamale Central Prison20183212 (Bonded)2171--
Salaga Local Prison20186--213--
Yendi Local Prison201861-32---
Koforidua Prison2018485228193-1 (Medical)
Akuse2019232-1632--
Sekondi Central Prisons2019 (July)242 (Bonded)1138---

 

Access to Justice changed the lives of these individuals
Read their stories.

  • Ama, was Convicted and sentenced to 11 years imprisonment in hard labor for selling a marijuana-infused beverage. A crime she indicates she had no knowledge of 4 years 7 months into her Incarceration, she was acquitted and discharged.
    MEET AMA FORSON

Court frees Prisoners In Koforidua

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13 Prisoners on Remand Gain Freedom

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Justice For All Virtual Court Sitting

The Virtual Justice for All Program (JFAP) is an innovative adaptation of the traditional JFAP.

It aimed at ensuring continuous delivery of justice even in challenging times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, JFAP transitioned to virtual court proceedings, specifically to cater to the needs of remand prisoners efficiently and safely.
This shift not only helped in reducing prison overcrowding but also established a precedent for incorporating digital solutions into Ghana's justice system. Through secure online platforms, JFAP guarantees timely hearings and resolutions
for remand cases, thereby maintaining its pledge to provide fair and swift justice for all.
2.8
%
Convicted
51
%
Granted Bail
12
%
Discharged

More Stories 

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Pos Foundation
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Ghana Post GPS : GA3602673
Yogaga Street Mataheko,
Central University

 
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