Grapevine

Alternative sentencing should replace custodial sentencing

Project Manager of POS Foundation, Sylvester Anthony Appiah-Honny is advocating for alternative sentencing to replace custodial sentencing.

According to him, the current prison system is not reformative or restorative enough, resulting in individuals who are incarcerated sometimes becoming worse off than when they entered jail.

Speaking on JoyNews’ The Law', he said alternative sentencing would help reduce the influx of people going to prison.

He emphasised that individuals who have committed petty offenses should not be placed in the same jail as hardened criminals, as they may end up forming associations with them.

Mr Appiah-Honny stated that when these individuals are released from prison and cannot find jobs, the stigmatisation by society and the lack of support can lead them back to their prison associations, subsequently pushing them into committing first-degree and second-degree felonies.