Public Relations Officer of the Okada Riders Association, Solomon Akpanaba, has called for non-custodial sentences for people convicted of petty offences, arguing that minor offenders should not necessarily be sent to prison for failing to pay fines.
Speaking to Isaac Addae on Morning Starr on Starr FM, Mr Akpanaba questioned why a person arrested for a minor road-related offence, such as failing to wear a reflective jacket, could be sentenced to a fine and subsequently imprisoned for 30 days if unable to pay.
He argued that such offenders could instead be required to perform community service, including sweeping, cleaning gutters or weeding along roadsides.
“Why can’t the person be allowed, that young man who is the breadwinner of his family, why can’t he be allowed to do some sweeping, some cleaning of gutters, some weeding by the roadside, and go?” he asked.
According to him, a community-based sentence would allow offenders to contribute to society without subjecting them to the consequences associated with imprisonment.
Mr Akpanaba also argued that keeping people convicted of petty offences in prison places an additional financial burden on the state.
He said resources used to keep such offenders in prison could instead be saved if alternative forms of punishment were adopted.
He further warned that sending minor offenders to prison could expose them to hardened criminals, including people convicted of serious offences.
Mr Akpanaba said a person who enters prison for a minor offence could come into contact with serious offenders and potentially return to society negatively affected by the experience.
He therefore urged authorities to consider non-custodial measures for petty offences, particularly where community service could serve as an alternative to imprisonment.
Mr Akpanaba also questioned aspects of the proposed legislation, saying the leadership of the union was not involved in the 13-member committee that worked on the proposals.
“Greater stakeholder involvement would help address some of the concerns surrounding the proposed measures”. He added.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Pamela Quayeson
