By: Kebba Ansu Manneh
Defense Minister Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof has described prison reform as a fundamental moral responsibility rather than mere government policy, urging a shift from punishment to rehabilitation and reintegration.
Speaking on Wednesday, April 28, 2026, at the official inauguration of a new skills training center and the graduation of 48 inmates and two prison officers at the Gambia Prison Service headquarters, Minister Joof emphasized the transformative vision for the country’s correctional system.
“Prison reform is not just a government policy; it is a moral responsibility,” Joof stated. “Under my leadership, prison transformation is a key pillar of the national development agenda. This vision seeks to align our correctional system with international human rights standards, ensuring that our prisons are not merely places of punishment but institutions where human dignity is respected and preserved.”
The minister highlighted the government’s commitment to equipping inmates with practical skills, education, and tools for personal growth. “The goal is clear: to rehabilitate, to reform, and to reintegrate. Every individual here is more than your past,” he told the graduates. He stressed that successful rehabilitation leads to safer communities, restored families, and a break in the cycle of reoffending.
Joof advised the inmates to seize the opportunity with discipline and responsibility. “As a parent myself, I deeply feel the pain of families whose loved ones are here today,” he said. “No parent wishes to see their child in such a situation. But let this moment not be one of despair. Let it be a turning point, a moment of transformation and renewed purpose.”
The colorful ceremony celebrated the completion of vocational training programs in construction, electrical installation, tailoring, and solar installation. The new facility includes six classrooms built with support from development partners.
The Defense Minister expressed gratitude to Insight Training Institute, the MRC Holland Foundation for constructing the classrooms, and TIKA for providing computers and equipment.
“This contribution is an investment in human potential, a foundation for knowledge, and a pathway to hope,” he added. He commended the graduates for their dedication, noting that acquiring these skills positions them to rewrite their stories and contribute positively to society.
Ansumana Manneh, Director General of the Gambia Prison Service, described the event as a milestone in strengthening institutional capacity and advancing rehabilitation. “The sixth classroom block we inaugurated is more than a physical structure; it is a symbol of hope, opportunity, and renewal,” Manneh said. He revealed that nearly 300 individuals have graduated from various skills programs through the Insight Training Center partnership.
Manneh acknowledged the support of the MRC Holland Foundation, USAID, Gambia Children Affairs, TIKA, and other partners in making the initiative possible.
Other speakers at the event included Minister of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology Professor Pierre Gomez; Insight Training Center proprietor Ismaila Ceesay; Professor Cherno Omar Barry, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Insight Training Institute; TIKA Gambia Coordinator Ali Karim; Nella Heijnen, Chairperson of Gambian Children First; and Henriette Brummer-Sonko, Country Coordinator of MRC Holland Foundation.
The initiative reflects a broader push in The Gambia to humanize the prison system, reduce recidivism, and support former inmates in becoming productive citizens. Officials view the skills center as a concrete step towards aligning correctional facilities with global best practices in rehabilitation and human rights.
By investing in education and vocational training behind bars, Gambian authorities hope to foster second chances that benefit both individuals and society as a whole. The graduation ceremony served not only as a celebration of achievement but as a powerful statement on the potential for redemption and renewal within the justice system.
