CURRENT REGIONAL INFORMATION
The Ashanti Regional Prisons Command is one of the key administrative divisions of the Ghana Prisons Service, responsible for overseeing prison operations within the Ashanti Region. The Command currently has seven prison establishments under its supervision comprising of a Central Prison, Female Prison, two Local Prison and three Camp stations. Kumasi Central Prison serves as the seat of the Ashanti Regional Prisons Command with Deputy Director of Prisons (DDP) James B. Mwinyelle (Ing.) as the Regional Commander:
STATIONS UNDER THE COMMAND
- Kumasi Central Prison
- Amanfrom Camp Prison
- Manhyia Local Prison
- Kumasi Female Prison
- Ahinsan Camp Prison
- Obuasi Local Prison
- Ejura Camp Prison
BRIEF HISTORY OF KUMASI CENTRAL PRISON
Kumasi Central Prison, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, is one of the oldest correctional facilities in the country. It was established in 1901 during the British colonial era as part of the colonial government’s efforts to enforce law and order in the then Gold Coast. Originally designed to accommodate a small number of inmates, the prison has long since become overcrowded due to increasing incarceration rates and limited infrastructure expansion.
The prison is situated in the heart of Kumasi, the regional capital and historic seat of the Asante Kingdom. Its location reflects the colonial administration’s strategy of placing key institutions close to administrative and economic centers.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
500 but currently accommodates about 1,600 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Tailoring
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Welding and Fabrication
- Tie and Dye
- Soap and Detergent Production
- Kente Weaving
- Shoemaking
- Water Production
- Bead Making
- Formal Eduication
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Health (KATH)
- Education (Jackson Educational Complex)
- Corporate and Individual Philanthropies
- Water Production
- Tie and Dye
BRIEF HISTORY OF AMANFROM CAMP PRISON
Amanfrom Camp Prison is situated about eight kilometers along the Kumasi Barekese road, between the Amanfrom and Asuofua townships in the Ashanti Region. Established in 1992, it was the first camp prison in the region and was designed to serve dual functions: ensuring the safe custody and welfare of prisoners, and promoting agri-business ventures to help reduce government expenditure on inmate feeding.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
200 but currently accommodates about 117 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Agriculture
- Tailoring
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Faith-Based Organisations
- Corporate and Individual Philanthropies
BRIEF HISTORY OF MANHYIA LOCAL PRISON
The Manhyia Local Prison in Kumasi (Ashanti Region) dates back to the 19th century, originally serving as a sublet of the royal palace where the Asante court detained offenders under Ashanti customary law. It was officially taken over by the colonial Gold Coast government in 1954 and became part of the state prison system under the Ghana Prisons Service. It remains one of Ghana’s oldest correctional institutions, deeply rooted in Ashanti tradition and legal heritage.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
60 but currently accommodates about 200 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Tailoring
- Shoemaking
- Carpentry
- Kente Weaving
- Electricals
- ICT
- Bead Making
- Soap and Detergent Production
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
Education (Jackson Educational Complex)
BRIEF HISTORY OF KUMASI FEMALE PRISON
The Kumasi Female Prison was initially part of the Kumasi Central Prison, responsible for handling female inmates under centralized administrative control. In 1991, it gained autonomy to manage its operations independently. Though it remains structurally linked to the Central Prison, it is located in the heart of Adum, Kumasi, and is dedicated exclusively to the custody and rehabilitation of female inmates.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
30 but currently houses 42 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Baking
- Tailoring
- Hair Dressing
- Soap Production
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Faith-Based Organisations
- Corporate and Philanthropic Bodies
- Government Agencies
- NGO’s and other Civil Societies
BRIEF HISTORY OF AHINSAN CAMP PRISON
The Ahinsan Camp Prison was founded on July 27, 1993, following a government directive for the Ghana Prisons Service to assume control over the defunct Ghana Food Production Corporation’s palm plantation at Adansi-Ahinsan. The camp served as a solution to congestion at Kumasi Central Prison and aimed to train inmates in modern agricultural techniques. Initially located at a temporary Ghana Education Service facility, it was relocated to its permanent site at Ahinsan on October 8, 2014.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
278 but currently accommodates about 116 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Agriculture
- Tailoring
- Masonry
- Carpentry
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Agriculture
- Health
- Carpentry
- Masonry
BRIEF HISTORY OF OBUASI LOCAL PRISON
The Obuasi Local Prison was built in 1909 to accommodate short-term prisoners. It is strategically located at the centre of Obuasi opposite the Ghana Commercial Bank in the Obuasi West Municipality.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
100 but currently houses about 300 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Tailoring
- Agriculture
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Health
- Corporate and Individual Philanthropies
BRIEF HISTORY OF EJURA CAMP PRISON
The Ejura Camp Prison was established in March 2019 with the aim of decongesting overcrowded prisons and rehabilitating inmates through skills training. Initially housed in a CHIP compound near a basic school in Ejura/Nkwanta, the current facility was officially commissioned on May 11, 2021, with support from the Church of Pentecost. It plays a critical role in facilitating inmate reintegration.
AUTHORISED CAPACITY
240 but currently accommodates about 127 inmates.
MAJOR REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES
- Agriculture
- Tailoring
- Carpentry
- Welding and Fabrication
- Kente Weaving
AREAS OF COLLABORATION
- Health (specifically St. Luke Hospital at Kasei)
