The 2023–2025 cohort of student prison security inspectors at the National School of Prison Security Guards officially began their thesis defenses on Monday in a ceremony marked by rigorous academic inquiry and national significance.
The launch event, held in Ouagadougou, was presided over by Harouna Kadio, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, alongside school director Inspector Abdoulaye Sidibé.
In a bid to elevate the quality of personnel in the Burkinabe prison system, the institution requires each graduating inspector to present and defend a research thesis.
This year, five candidates — including one woman — will present their findings on diverse topics related to prison administration and reform.
Opening the series was student inspector Abdramane Diallo, who defended his thesis titled “Agricultural Revolution in Penitentiary Establishments in Burkina Faso: Challenges and Perspectives.
” His research explored the current state of prison-based agricultural production, highlighting its shortcomings and offering recommendations for scaling and formalizing it through mechanisation, skilled recruitment, and private-sector engagement.
Diallo’s presentation earned a score of 17/20, receiving the “Excellent” distinction from the jury.
“Prison production has been carried out in penitentiary establishments since 2011.
But from 2023, there has been a great contribution,” said Xavier Batiébo, President of the Jury.
“His theme is current and he has brought something new to the institutional landscape.
The recommendations he made, if implemented, will really be a plus in prison production.”
For Diallo, the moment was one of fulfilment: “We decided to support the agricultural revolution in penal institutions to first make a diagnosis of the production system, see what needs to be done, what’s wrong.
Following that, we made proposals aimed at improving prison production in Burkina Faso.
It wasn’t simple, but by the grace of God, we were able to overcome the difficulties.”
Other candidates will present topics ranging from the role of sports and cultural activities in prison rehabilitation, to infrastructure impact, psychological support in the face of terrorism, and land security for correctional institutions.
“These defenses symbolize much more than a simple academic exercise,” said Harouna Kadio. “They are a testament to your involvement in crucial issues for our society: the management of prison facilities.”
With these high-stakes defenses underway, the school’s leadership expressed confidence in the candidates’ preparedness to take on real-world responsibilities within the prison system — responsibilities where theory, strategy, and humanity will intersect.
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