Burkina Faso’s Traoré Turns Prisoners Into Farmers

Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré’s has introduced a new prison reform to replace certain prison sentences with community service.

The new prison reform focuses on rehabilitation and contributing to food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso. Prisoners will work on agricultural fields for reduced sentences.

Under the new law, each month of agricultural labor equates to a three-month reduction in an inmate’s sentence.

“Henceforth our prisoners will be working in our Agriculture sector while their sentences are reduced, our laws must represent African values” – President Ibrahim Traoré

This move aims to rehabilitate prisoners, boost agricultural productivity, and align the justice system with indigenous values.

In December 2023, the Baporo detention center reported that inmates produced significant quantities of fruits and vegetables, which were used to feed prisoners nationwide, with surpluses sold in markets.

This initiative aims to prepare inmates for reintegration by equipping them with agricultural skills.

This is not the first time President Ibrahim Traoré has introduced new prison reforms. In January this year, inmates from the Ouagadougou civil prison facility have been mobilized to help clear out drainage canals around the Ouaga I High Court.

This Community Service (TIG) operation, launched on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, by the Ouagadougou Prison and Correctional Facility (MACO), is part of a reform led by the Ministry of Justice.

Under the supervision of the General Directorate of Prison Administration (DGAP), this initiative aims to both improve the urban environment and promote the reintegration of inmates.