Rabat – The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) has announced progress in implementing Morocco’s newly enacted law on alternative penalties.
According to the delegation’s draft budget for the 2026 fiscal year, between the law’s entry into force on August 22 and October 31, courts issued 539 rulings involving alternative penalties.
Out of these, 316 executive decisions were finalized and distributed as follows: 165 daily fines, 71 community service penalties, 5 cases of electronic monitoring, and 75 involving restrictions on rights or the imposition of supervisory, therapeutic, or rehabilitative measures.
The DGAPR reported that 231 of these decisions have already been implemented, with the individuals concerned released from custody. However, authorities recorded 31 violations of enforcement terms, leading to the reinstatement of the original prison sentences in accordance with the law.
Strengthening institutional capacity
The delegation emphasized that the success of the reform depends largely on human resources.
To this end, approximately 250 prison employees were reassigned to oversee the implementation of alternative penalties, pending the recruitment of 1,020 additional staff positions allocated under the 2026 Finance Law.
Training programs have been launched for the redeployed staff, including general sessions and specialized technical workshops focusing on tracking, supervision, and enforcement mechanisms. The DGAPR also prepared a practical guide to standardize procedures across institutions.
Currently, 58 of Morocco’s 73 prison institutions have been designated to supervise alternative penalty enforcement. In cities with multiple prisons, one facility was chosen to centralize resources and ensure effective governance. Special offices dedicated to monitoring these penalties have been established and equipped to support efficient law enforcement in a professional environment.
Digital transformation and electronic monitoring
The DGAPR has also completed the creation of a national electronic monitoring platform, alongside an integrated information system designed to track and manage alternative sentences. The system allows continuous oversight and coordination between prison services and judicial authorities.
A contract was signed with a specialized company to provide both fixed and mobile electronic bracelets. Employees underwent intensive training on using these devices, learning how to install and remove them, respond to breach alerts, and handle emergencies. A detailed guide has been distributed to ensure uniform application across inst
The new digital infrastructure is expected to improve transparency, accelerate enforcement, and enhance inter-agency coordination.
According to the DGAPR, these efforts mark a key step in Morocco’s broader penal reform strategy, which seeks to shift from punitive incarceration to more rehabilitative and restorative justice approaches.
