The Role of Pastoral Care in the Rehabilitation of Inmates: A Case Study of Kumasi Central Prison

This study examines the role of pastoral care in rehabilitating inmates at Kumasi Central Prison, highlighting the significance of spiritual and emotional support in correctional settings. Utilizing a qualitative research design within the interpretivist paradigm, the study explores how pastoral care services, predominantly delivered through preaching, advice, and group interventions, contribute to inmates' mental health, moral reformation, and overall well-being. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with inmates, pastoral caregivers, social welfare officers, and the prison chaplain. The findings reveal that while pastoral care services are widely available and valued by inmates, they are primarily provided in a group format due to the prison's security constraints. This group-based approach has proven effective in meeting the general spiritual and psychological needs of inmates, yet there is a clear preference for more personalized pastoral care services. The study underscores the involvement of various religious denominations, emphasizing the role of religious and moral guidance in reducing recidivism and facilitating successful reintegration into society. However, the research also identifies challenges such as resource limitations and the need for individualized care, suggesting that expanding pastoral care services could further enhance their impact on inmate rehabilitation. This study contributes to the broader understanding of pastoral care in correctional facilities and offers insights for developing more inclusive and effective rehabilitation programs within the Ghanaian prison system.

This study examines the role of pastoral care in rehabilitating inmates at Kumasi Central Prison, highlighting the significance of spiritual and emotional support in correctional settings. Utilizing a qualitative research design within the interpretivist paradigm, the study explores how pastoral care services, predominantly delivered through preaching, advice, and group interventions, contribute to inmates' mental health, moral reformation, and overall well-being. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with inmates, pastoral caregivers, social welfare officers, and the prison chaplain. The findings reveal that while pastoral care services are widely available and valued by inmates, they are primarily provided in a group format due to the prison's security constraints. This group-based approach has proven effective in meeting the general spiritual and psychological needs of inmates, yet there is a clear preference for more personalized pastoral care services. The study underscores the involvement of various religious denominations, emphasizing the role of religious and moral guidance in reducing recidivism and facilitating successful reintegration into society. However, the research also identifies challenges such as resource limitations and the need for individualized care, suggesting that expanding pastoral care services could further enhance their impact on inmate rehabilitation. This study contributes to the broader understanding of pastoral care in correctional facilities and offers insights for developing more inclusive and effective rehabilitation programs within the Ghanaian prison system.