Transforming Ghana’s prisons: A historical and biblical perspective

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Human societies have long sought to regulate crime and moral deviance, resulting in the evolution of imprisonment as a mechanism of social control. Despite ongoing reforms, Ghana’s prison system has not fully achieved its rehabilitative, deterrent, and reintegrative objectives. This study critically examines the historical evolution of prisons in selected ancient civilizations and evaluates Ghana’s penal system through the theological-ethical lens of Matthew 25:31–46. Employing a qualitative historical and theological research approach based on documentary analysis, the study explores the relationship between historical penal practices, contemporary correctional challenges, and biblical principles of justice, compassion, and human dignity. The findings reveal that Ghana’s correctional system continues to be constrained by punitive practices that undermine offender rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society. Drawing on the ethical teachings of Matthew 25, the study argues for a restorative justice framework that prioritises human dignity, reconciliation, rehabilitation, and social reintegration. The study contributes to scholarship by integrating historical penology with biblical ethics to propose contextually relevant reforms that can inform correctional policy and practice in Ghana.

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