Wminpiou Gontran WALÈ SOMÉ,  BURKINA FASO

“The more aware a society becomes of conflict resolution methods, the less it will need to rely on a violent system of retribution.”

About Gontran

Mr. Wminpiou Gontran Walè Some holds a degree in economic, social, and cultural law from the Collège Universitaire Henry Dunant in Geneva, a certificate in International Criminal Law, and is a graduate of the École Nationale d’Administration et de Magistrature. He has participated in numerous seminars on the rights of refugees and litigation practices and is a professor at the University of Bobo-Dioulasso. Currently, Gontran is a member of the Management Council for Legal Aid Funding in the Court of Appeal in Bobo-Dioulasso and a judge at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Bobo-Dioulasso.

The Challenge

Some of the challenges that Gontran tackled are the limited application of the rule of law, the inefficiency of penitentiary and prison policies, and poor living conditions in prisons in Burkina Faso. These circumstances do not allow respect for human dignity.

The Innovation: Joining by Justice

Gontran’s project focused on the correction center of Diébougou in Ouagadougou and aimed to strengthen relationships between justice system stakeholders and prison inmates. To this end, Gontran and his team successfully conducted a number of activities.

Firstly, the team set up a computerized filing system for the management of inmates, providing training to the Chief Clerk and the trial judge on how to use the system so they, in turn, could train the administrative staff. The computerized system enables clerks to easily manage court dates and monitor release dates and mediation schedules to help alleviate overcrowding.

In addition, Gontran held a soap-making workshop designed to equip detainees close to their release dates with skills to enable them to earn a living upon reentry into society. He also tackled the issue of illiteracy in the prison, which has previously posed huge problems for prisoners who were unable to fill out bail request forms and other documents. Gontran and his team put in place 18 various pre-filled forms that prisoners can request and are only required to sign. From this initiative, 127 requests for mediation, 77 requests for a medical examination, and 132 requests for bail were completed.

Lastly, Gontran held a rights awareness campaign within the prison, distributing over 1,000 copies of a flyer informing inmates of their fundamental rights. In addition, Gontran organized a three-day conference that involved both prison officials and over 160 inmates, informing participants of the legal rights of inmates and the responsibility of prison officials to uphold these rights.