Prisons Boss Patience Baffoe-Bonnie Demands Contagious Disease Allowance for Prison Staff

The Director General of the Ghana Prisons Service, Patience Baffoe-Bonnie, has urged the government to introduce a contagious disease allowance for prison officers who work closely with inmates whose health status is unknown. She explained that such an allowance would help address the significant health risks officers face in the course of their duties.

According to Baffoe-Bonnie, prison officers are routinely exposed to inmates whose medical conditions are not always known or disclosed, putting them at risk of contracting infectious diseases. She noted that the nature of their work requires close contact with prisoners in confined environments, making the threat of transmission a daily concern for staff.

The Director General stressed that the proposed allowance would serve as recognition of the hazards officers endure while performing their responsibilities. It would also provide some form of compensation for the potential health consequences they face simply by carrying out their jobs.

Baffoe-Bonnie’s appeal highlights longstanding concerns about the welfare and safety of prison personnel in Ghana. Officers working in correctional facilities often operate in overcrowded conditions where disease control can be challenging, and where information about inmates’ health is limited. This environment increases the likelihood of exposure to communicable illnesses, including tuberculosis and other infectious conditions.

The call for a contagious disease allowance adds to broader discussions about improving conditions of service within the Ghana Prisons Service. Advocates argue that recognising the occupational hazards faced by officers is essential to boosting morale, attracting and retaining personnel, and ensuring the effective operation of the country’s correctional system.

It remains to be seen whether the government will act on Baffoe-Bonnie’s proposal. However, her appeal places the issue of prison officers’ health and safety firmly on the public agenda, underscoring the need for policy measures that reflect the realities of their work environment.