Rabat – Morocco has launched a new strategy for 2022-2026 to improve and humanize detention conditions and support the reintegration of formerly detained people into society.
Morocco’s General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced the strategy in line with its annual report for 2021.
The new plan focuses on the support of reintegration preparation programs, improvement of detention conditions, and strengthening of safety and security, as well as improving the sanitary conditions within prisons.
The strategy further prioritizes developing human resources and consolidating governance and communication, cooperation, and partnerships.
Faced with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, DGAPR limited exceptional leave, with only 12 detainees benefitting from them in 2021. Yet, prisons allowed a significant increase in phone calls for detainees to connect with their families.
The delegation further affirmed its commitment to improving visiting conditions by creating dedicated spaces within detention centers and developing communication tools to ensure smooth communication between prisoners and their families.
The new local prisons in Dakhla and Assliha brought up the number of visiting spaces to six while Ain Sebaa I prison was modernized.
As for reinforcing security and governance within Moroccan prisons, DGAPR recorded in 2021 a significant drop in the number of seizure cases. In total, the agency discovered 101 smuggled phones, 789 cases of smuggled drugs, and 180 money transfers. This year’s data amounts to a 61% decrease in drug-related cases from 2017to 2021.
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Along with imposing security-related measures, DGAPR focused on implementing and supporting reintegration programs related to informal education and vocational training. It organized numerous cultural, educational, and intellectual events throughout the past year.
Notably, 4,247 prisoners benefitted from the informal education program despite available spots being halved with respect to COVID-19 preventive measures. Furthermore, 1,121 detainees received certificates for different education levels.
As for vocational training, 127 prisoners benefited from training in the automotive industry, while 416 detainees worked in production units within the detention centers.
Moroccan Prisons also organized more than 2,400 activities and competitions for the benefit of roughly 40,000 prisoners with respect to preventive measures. Some of the events were part of the national caravan for the Sahara. The caravan celebrated Moroccan success with regard to the Western Sahara conflict from May 31 to November 6.
In the past year, DGAPR joined the Data-Tika program for the digitization of prison administration and the protection of personal data. The delegation also produced a practical guide to address hunger strikes. The guide was produced in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the National Human Rights Council (CNDH) and the Public Prosecutor Office, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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