Final answer:
The ghost repeats the words to remind Scrooge of his own lack of compassion and to highlight his cruel attitude towards the less fortunate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ghost in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol repeats the question 'Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?' to remind Ebenezer Scrooge of his own callous words earlier in the story. When asked to donate to the poor, Scrooge indifferently suggests that those who are struggling should go to prisons or workhouses instead of receiving aid from others. This haunting repetition by the ghost illustrates Scrooge's lack of compassion and brings to light the cruelty of his attitude towards the less fortunate.