A Study of Drug Use and Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Male Prisoners in Ghana

Substance use disorders among adults during imprisonment in a medium security prison: Prevalence and risk indicators

“…Omane-Addo & Ackah, 2021; Parimah et al, 2021). Although this prevalence figure is low compared with most reports on prisoners internationally, others have used a different approach to measurement and are generally reporting lifetime prevalence.…”

“…Our findings show that the prevalence of substance use disorders among those serving a sentence in the only medium‐security prison in Ghana is about 10%, despite adequate staffing and a rather high level of security. All the previous studies in Ghana reporting a high prevalence rate of substance use were conducted in a camp prison or central prison, which are known to have inadequate staffing levels and are relatively low‐security facilities (Adu‐Gyamfi et al., 2020; Omane‐Addo & Ackah, 2021; Parimah et al, 2021). Although this prevalence figure is low compared with most reports on prisoners internationally, others have used a different approach to measurement and are generally reporting lifetime prevalence.…”

A global review of prison drug smuggling routes and trends in the usage of drugs in prisons

“…Visits from family members, partners, and peers are one of the most common drug smuggling routes discussed in the literature (Cope, 2000; Crewe, 2006; Dillon, 2001; Dos Santos et al 2014; EMCDDA, 2002; Hughes, 2003; Inciardi et al, 1993; Office of the Inspector General, 2003; O'Hagan & Hardwick, 2017; Parimah et al, 2021; Penfold et al, 2005; Tompkins, 2016; Wakeling & Lynch, 2020; Watson, 2016). Some studies cited visits as one of the principal external routes (Cope, 2000; Crewe, 2006; Dillon, 2001; Inciardi et al, 1993; Office of the Inspector General, 2003); on the other hand, one study in Canada found that a minority of drug seizures (about 20%) occurred in visiting areas (Watson, 2016) and a small proportion (approximately 5%) of prisoners in England reported using this route (O'Hagan & Hardwick, 2017).…”

“…Most prisons have strict regulations around items visitors are and are not permitted to bring into the prisons with them, but these regulations can vary from prison to prison. For example, most prisons do not allow visitors to bring in outside food or drinks (HM Prison and Probation Service, 2022; Tasmania Prison Service, 2021), but a study from Ghana reported an individual trying to smuggle cannabis into a prison inside homemade food, indicating that food is allowed to be brought into prisons in Ghana by visitors (Parimah et al, 2021). Over time, prison regulations have evolved as prisons respond to new smuggling methods used by visitors and prisoners.…”