Burkina Faso Launches First Prison Arts and Crafts Fair to Promote Inmate Reintegration

Ouagadougou, December 19, 2025 - The first edition of the Burkina Faso Prison Arts and Crafts Fair (FAUCA-BF) officially opened today under the presidency of Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala.

Held under the patronage of Sabila Sawadogo, Divisional Inspector of Penitentiary Security and Director General of the Penitentiary Administration, and supported by Commander Ismaël Sombie and Serge Gnaniodem Poda, the fair aims to highlight the skills of inmates while promoting their professional development and social reintegration.

Scheduled from December 19 to 22, 2025 at the National Museum, the fair features exhibitions, sales, roundtables, artistic performances, and a food area, creating a space for dialogue between the prison system and civil society.

In his opening remarks, Minister Bayala emphasized that prisons should serve as spaces for learning, responsibility, and social reintegration. He underscored that FAUCA-BF reflects the government’s reformist vision, combining respect for human rights with effective preparation for inmates’ return to society.

“These individuals are now an integral part of the system,” he said, highlighting the fair as a demonstration of the modern, humane, and productive governance of the prison system.

Admission is free, with the event open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., offering the public a unique opportunity to discover the talents of inmates and engage with Burkina Faso’s ongoing prison reform initiatives.