The Ghana Prisons Service on June 25 received the Parliamentary Select Committee on Defence and Interior to engage its leadership on ongoing reforms and current challenges.

The committee, chaired by Builsa North Member of Parliament James Agalga, was briefed on issues regarding overcrowding, low feeding rates for inmates, and inadequate logistics.

Also, inadequate health infrastructures, delay in payments of some allowances, and low budget allocation became known to the committee.

Director General of Prisons Mrs. Patience Baffoe-Bonnie (Esq.) appealed to members of the committee to support the service.

The support, he said, could be through legislative advocacy for the passing of pending legislation, revamping and renovation of existing prison facilities, and procurement of weapons and other operational equipment.

She also asked for the government's support to mechanize agriculture within the service, industrialization, and skills development of inmates.

James Agalga and members of the committee commended officers of the Prisons Service for their efforts in ensuring safe custody despite the numerous challenges.

The Builsa North legislator assured the leadership of the service of continuous advocacy to ensure that officers' remuneration possibly becomes the same as other security services.

He also touched on the review of the chairman's position on the Prisons Service council, the increment in funds allocated to the service, and the allocation of an existing health facility to serve as a prison hospital.