Crime Check Foundation: Ghana Former Prisoners Are Returning Citizens

• Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, Executive Director of Crime Check Foundation, proposes replacing "ex-convicts" with "returning citizens."
• This change aims to combat the negative social stigma and discrimination faced by former prisoners in Ghana.
• Kwarteng argues that the "ex-convict" label hinders reintegration and causes adverse psychological effects.
• His advocacy is informed by international best practices observed during a visit to a US prison facility.
• The Crime Check Foundation is actively promoting this new terminology to foster greater societal acceptance for individuals completing prison sentences.

The shift in language is envisioned as a crucial step in broader initiatives aimed at supporting individuals post-incarceration and diminishing the persistent stigma that often impedes their successful return to society.

Ibrahim Oppong Kwarteng, who serves as the Executive Director of the Crime Check Foundation, has put forth a significant proposal regarding how society refers to individuals who have completed prison sentences. Kwarteng advocates for the adoption of the phrase "returning citizens" as a replacement for the commonly used term "ex-convicts." This linguistic adjustment is intended to foster greater societal acceptance and facilitate the successful reintegration of these individuals into their communities in Ghana.

Kwarteng articulated his concerns during an appearance on JoyNews' "The Law with Samson Lardy" on Sunday, November 8, emphasizing that the label "ex-convict" carries a heavy negative social stigma. This stigma, he explained, frequently exposes former prisoners to significant discrimination and outright rejection, creating formidable obstacles to their efforts to re-establish themselves in society. The psychological and social repercussions of this persistent labeling are considerable, often eroding confidence and instilling a sense of unwelcome among those who have served their time.

The continuous use of such a pejorative tag, Kwarteng argues, can have adverse effects on individuals, hindering their ability to move forward. He posits that "returning citizens" offers a far more welcoming and constructive alternative, one that acknowledges their return to society and their inherent right to an opportunity for a fresh start. This perspective underscores the critical need to mitigate the pervasive ex-convict stigma in Ghana, which can undermine the very purpose of rehabilitation.

The Crime Check Foundation's push for this terminological shift is not solely based on local observations but is also informed by international insights. Kwarteng recounted that a visit to a prison facility in the United States last year provided him with valuable exposure to global best practices concerning prisoner reintegration. He noted that similar approaches are evident in Europe and other parts of America, where there is a growing recognition of the importance of supportive language.

Extensive literature, Kwarteng highlighted, supports the notion that continuing to employ the "ex-convict tag" actively impedes proper reintegration efforts. Consequently, the Crime Check Foundation is actively advocating for Ghana to adopt the "returning citizens" terminology. This advocacy forms part of a broader strategy to support former prisoners and to diminish the deep-seated stigma that frequently follows them long after their release, aligning Ghana's approach with more progressive criminal justice reform initiatives observed globally.

The ultimate objective of this advocacy is to cultivate a more accepting societal attitude towards individuals who have fulfilled their sentences. By changing the language used to describe them, the Crime Check Foundation hopes to create an environment where Ghana former prisoners returning citizens can genuinely reintegrate without facing undue prejudice. This initiative is crucial for fostering a society that believes in second chances and supports individuals in becoming productive members of their communities.

The shift in language is envisioned as a crucial step in broader initiatives aimed at supporting individuals post-incarceration and diminishing the persistent stigma that often impedes their successful return to society. For legal and compliance professionals in Ghana, monitoring this advocacy is important, as it signals a potential shift in public discourse that could eventually influence policy and legislative reforms pertaining to the reintegration of former prisoners and broader Ghana criminal justice reform. This could lead to new anti-discrimination measures or employment guidelines designed to ease the transition for those re-entering civilian life.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Ghana should monitor this advocacy for potential shifts in public policy and legislative reform concerning the reintegration of former prisoners, which could influence future anti-discrimination laws or employment guidelines.

Source: Original reporting via Albert Kuzor