Rabat – King Mohammed VI has launched a national program to support micro-projects and self-employment in favor of former prisoners.
The program was initiated by the Mohammed VI Foundation for the reintegration of prisoners for an overall cost of more than 13.5 million, compared to MAD 8.1 million in 2018.
The project seeks to provide “financial or equipment support to former prisoners with a personal life project in sectors like trade, industry, services, crafts, catering, agriculture, or construction,” reported Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
The program will benefit 478 former prisoners from the regions of Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Marrakech Safi, the eastern region, Fes Meknes, Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, Laayoune Sakia El Hamra, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Souss-Massa, and the Draa Tafilalet regions.
The beneficiaries of the program also include 18 people who have been convicted of extremism and terrorism.
While serving their prison terms, they participated in the reconciliation program or Moussalaha, a project that seeks to ease the reintegration of detainees into society.
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The Moroccan government trusts the reconciliation program. The royal cabinet offers royal pardon to free terrorism-convicted defendants who have successfully completed the requirements of the Reconciliation program.
The program involves human rights and radicalism experts who provide psychological support and rehabilitation to convicts. It was launched in 2016.
The initiative depends on three fundamental points: reconciliation with the self, with principal religious texts, and with society.
MAP reported that the inclusion of the inmates convicted for terrorism in the national program “has a strong social impact, testifying to the particular interest that the King gives to the future of incarcerated citizens.”
The program, according to the newspaper, is a perfect illustration of the King’s “firm determination to ensure convicts, without any discrimination or exception, an adequate socio-professional integration after their release.”
The initiative is also in line with the monarch’s vision to strengthen security in society, combat crime, reduce recidivism, and create income-generating activities (IGAs) to improve the future and quality of life of people who have been in conflict with the law.
