The Assistant Minister for Urban Affairs, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Mike Khailelu B. Jabateh, is proposing that prisoners across various correction facilities be engaged in structured agricultural programs, which he said would benefit the inmate, the government and the country.
Assistant Minister Jabateh observed that agriculture remains one of the most promising paths for sustainable development and economic growth in Liberia; and to make this sector vibrant the government must think outside the box and maximize every available human resource, including prisoners. “A fresh and transformative idea is to engage inmates in structured agricultural programs. By doing so, we not only equip them with valuable trades and life skills but also enable them to contribute meaningfully to Mama Liberia,” he noted.
He recommended that prisoners be trained in modern farming techniques, producing rice, vegetables, palm oil, and even poultry, stating that these efforts can help reduce food importation, cut prison feeding costs, and boost national food security.
According to Minister Jabateh, countries like Thailand and Uganda have already seen success with similar programs. “In Thailand, for instance, inmates on prison farms grow crops and rear livestock, which support both the prison system and community food banks. Uganda’s Luzira Prison allows inmates to cultivate food for their own consumption and for sale, giving them a sense of purpose and productivity,” he added.
The Assistant Minister however pointed out that some may raise concerns about labor rights and exploitation, which are valid concerns, but asserted that this approach can be made ethical, with clear guidelines, proper compensation, and voluntary participation.
“Think of it not as forced labor but as rehabilitative agricultural training. For instance, a prisoner serving time for a non-violent offense volunteers to join a cassava planting program. He learns the trade, earns a stipend, and upon release, receives support to start his own farm. This is rehabilitation with impact,” he further observed.
He urged the Boakai administration to shift the narrative and consider prisoners not just inmates but potential farmers, future entrepreneurs, and contributors to the economy.
Assistant Minister Jabateh maintained that by investing in agricultural training within the correctional system, inmates will be given a second chance while strengthening one of Liberia’s most vital sectors.