Jackson Educational Complex (JEC), Ghana’s leading private college of education has donated assorted toiletries to inmates of the Kumasi Central Prison.

The items worth GHC 16,000.00 included 2,000 pieces of bar soap, 2,000 pieces of powdered soap, 2,000 pieces of toothpaste, 2,000 pieces of toilet roll and five boxes of sanitary pads.

A cheque for GHC 5,000.00 for the procurement of drugs for the infirmary of the prison was also presented in addition to the items.

This follows a special appeal from the authorities of the prison over the unavailability of basic drugs to cater for the health needs of the inmates.

Mrs Theodosia Jackson, Principal of JEC who presented the items and the cheque, said the donation was the widow’s mite of the institution towards the welfare of the vulnerable in society.

She said the upkeep of prisoners across the country and other vulnerable groups in society was a shared responsibility and must not be left for government alone.

Ghanaians, she stated, must show compassion to prisoners, saying their deplorable conditions could harden them and make them more dangerous to society after serving their sentences.

She said a little kindness to the inmates could hasten their reformation and easy integration into society after regaining their freedom.

She, therefore, underlined the need for Ghanaians not to neglect but support prisoners and other vulnerable groups in the country.

Mrs Jackson who has been a regular donor to the prisons since 1983, indicated that the challenges facing the prison was enormous and called on benevolent individuals and organisations to help improve the welfare of the inmates.

Rev. Chief Superintendent Paa Kwasi Ansah, the Regional Chaplain of the Ghana Prison Service who received the item praised Mrs Jackson for her continuous support over the years.

He said the donation would be of immense benefit to the inmates who are in dire need of such items.