Criminal justice reform is a major platform that I address in a new Constitution. A fair justice system is essential to a democratic society; however, not every crime equally harms the fabric of a democracy.
Overcrowded prisons, lengthy detention for minor offenses, and unequal treatment under the law harm communities and strain national resources. I support practical reforms that reduce unnecessary incarceration, prioritize rehabilitation, and address systemic inequalities. Non-violent offenders should have pathways to reintegration, while resources are focused on serious crime. Drug policy must emphasize public health, prevention, and treatment rather than punishment alone.
I do support long-term imprisonment for the most serious crimes against people and the nation. Government corruption, bribery, treason, financial fraud against the Treasury of Ghana, election interference, and election fraud or manipulation are crimes equal to the most serious offenses against individuals. These crimes deserve long-term custodial sentences alongside murder, rape, kidnapping, and malicious wounding.
I do not subscribe to the idea that a long-term custodial sentence relieves a person of their debt to this nation. Inmates must earn their room and board while incarcerated. Prison administrators, officers, and staff must be strictly vetted, and the notion that bribery is part of the “incarceration contract” must be erased.
Incarceration facilities should be classified for specific functions. A long-term detention prison is not the place for a shoplifter. Conversely, a local police headquarters or detention facility is not the solution for a murderer or a person convicted of government corruption.
Detention facilities for drug crimes require counselors and teachers. Those for crimes against property should be geared toward educational achievement and the social skills necessary to become a productive member of society. These facilities should not become revolving doors; stays should be limited to two terms before the crimes are upgraded to a more restrictive facility.
The second level of detention facilities, intended for those who commit serious crimes against people and the government, should incorporate a daily work schedule. These inmates should perform manual labor that benefits the society they harmed.
Criminal justice reform is a hallmark of a progressive, just society. I support the premise that detention facilities should provide life-sustaining food, water, shelter, and healthcare. While I recognize that each type of crime must be treated equally, the levels of crime must be treated accordingly. I support a modern, tiered detention system staffed by career professionals. Administrators and officers of detention facilities should be educated, trained professionals, not political appointees.
