a prison environment with human face is possible in Côte d'Ivoire

The realities observed in the prisons of Bouaké, Daloa, Soubré and Man-Côte d'Ivoire testify to a disconnect between the declared function of punishment and its concrete effects on inmates. Overcrowding, idleness and deteriorating living conditions produce an alienation that compromises any prospect of rehabilitation. Yet humanizing the prison environment is possible. It relies on a combination of legal, administrative, health and social measures designed to reduce overcrowding, restore inmates' dignity and reactivate the function of punishment. Considering prisoners as citizens on probation means recognizing that society has an interest in ensuring that they leave prison less dangerous than when they entered. Transforming the Ivorian prison system won't happen overnight, but it starts with a clear political will, backed by operational partnerships and the mobilization of criminological expertise. A prison environment with a human face is not a luxury; it's a prerequisite for public safety and social cohesion in Côte d'Ivoire.