The fifth African Workshop on Prison Infrastructure, convened on 9 June 2025, in Windhoek, Namibia, marking a critical step forward in the continent’s efforts to reform correctional systems through infrastructure aligned with modern rehabilitative philosophies. Hosted by the Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and supported by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the workshop brought together an array of distinguished participants, including commissioners general from across Africa, government ministers, international experts, civil society leaders, and members of the judiciary.
A New Vision for African Prisons
The theme of the workshop, “Philosophy as the Driving Force Behind Prison Design,” underscored a growing consensus that correctional facilities must move beyond punitive legacies rooted in colonial-era practices. Historically, many African prison systems were designed to serve colonial ideologies focused on containment and discipline rather than rehabilitation. Today, the imperative is to reshape these systems around dignity, reintegration, and human rights.
Jules Amoti, head of ICRC Southern Africa, opened the session by invoking the biblical principle of grace and redemption, linking spiritual values with the physical space of incarceration. He called on delegates to embrace the belief that prison buildings can embody a vision of hope, change, and justice. This tone set the foundation for discussions that followed, which consistently called for a reimagining of infrastructure as a tool for restorative justice.
A Shared Challenge Across the Continent
Speakers from across Africa echoed the same core challenges: overcrowded facilities, outdated infrastructure, and underfunded systems. Many noted that the physical conditions of prisons, often unsafe, unhygienic, and inhumane, compromise not only the well-being of inmates but also the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts. The need for investment in new facilities, alongside the renovation of existing ones, was universally acknowledged.
Importantly, participants emphasised that these reforms must be contextually grounded. Facility design should reflect local climatic conditions, cultural practices, and community dynamics. Rehabilitation is not an abstract concept, they said, but one that requires practical, evidence-based implementation tied to local realities.
Namibia as a Model for Reform
Namibia was praised for its steady progress in transforming its correctional system. Since 2010, the NCS has adopted an offender risk management strategy rooted in evidence-based rehabilitation. The Correctional Service Act of 2012 (Act No. 9 of 2012) has served as the legal framework supporting this transition, enabling a gradual shift from punitive incarceration to holistic correctional care.
The construction of modern facilities such as the Hardap, Elizabeth Nepemba, and Windhoek Correctional Centres were highlighted as tangible results of this strategy. These prisons reflect principles of unit management and are designed to facilitate more effective rehabilitation, social reintegration, and staff-inmate interaction.
The Role of the ICRC and International Partners
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a key partner in the workshop, presented its work on improving detention conditions globally. In 2024 alone, the ICRC visited approximately 660 detention facilities across 67 countries. Their assessments span access to clean water, healthcare, ventilation, and the ability to run effective rehabilitation programmes, many of which remain deficient in African settings.
The ICRC also introduced a new Prison Maintenance Guide developed in collaboration with African nations representing over 65% of the continent’s prison population. The guide aims to assist governments in maintaining humane conditions through practical and scalable maintenance plans.
The Path Forward: Collaboration and Accountability
Throughout the workshop, there was a strong call for African-led reform, drawing from indigenous knowledge systems, community-based justice traditions, and the involvement of religious and civil society groups. Speakers called for the inclusion of formerly incarcerated individuals in the design of programmes, stressing the value of lived experience in informing policy.
A representative from the African Union highlighted the need to move away from imported penal models that no longer serve the continent. He argued that rehabilitation and reintegration must be embedded in national correctional policies and legislative frameworks.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and faith-based collaborations were cited as effective mechanisms to address budgetary limitations while enhancing rehabilitation services. The case of Zambia was referenced as an example, where the government had actively engaged a wide range of stakeholders in reform efforts.
Official Opening and Call to Action
The workshop was officially opened by the Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi. In her keynote, she reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the correctional system and expressed gratitude for Namibia being chosen as host country. Nekundi noted that Namibia stands to benefit significantly from the knowledge-sharing and technical insights expected to emerge from the event.
Delegates were encouraged to seize the opportunity for collaboration, explore innovative approaches, and share practical experiences that can be scaled across the continent. The workshop was framed not only as a platform for technical exchange but as a call to leadership, courage, and vision in reshaping African correctional services for the 21st century.
This fifth African Prison Infrastructure Workshop marks a pivotal moment in the collective rethinking of incarceration across the continent. By aligning infrastructure with rehabilitative philosophy, African nations aim to build correctional systems that are humane, effective, and sustainable. The workshop affirmed that the future of justice in Africa will not be measured by how many are imprisoned, but by how many are restored to society as changed individuals.
