The Government of Burkina Faso has introduced a ground breaking new prison reform. The new innovative approach prioritises rehabilitation, agricultural development, and restorative justice.
According to the new criminal law, prisoners and those awaiting sentences can work in the agriculture sector, with a remarkable incentive; a month of work equals three-month reduction off their sentence.
The new innovation is the brain child of the nation’s military ruler, the youngish Captain Ibrahim Traorè, who emphasised that the country’s laws must reflect African values.
“Henceforth our prisoners will be working in our Agriculture sector while their sentences are reduced, our laws must reflect African values”, Traoré said.
The new approach would equally have the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience that would aid in their rehabilitation and reintegration into the society while addressing the country’s agricultural development needs.
The new law marks a remarkable departure from the traditional punitive and rehabilitation methods, long criticised on its ineffectiveness