Rabat – Morocco’s prison population dropped in 2025, but the reasons behind this decline raise important questions about whether the change reflects real reform or a temporary exception.
According to the annual report of the General Delegation for Prison Administration (GDPA) and Reintegration, the number of inmates reached 99,366 by the end of December 2025. This represents a decrease of 5.45% compared to 2024.
The figures seem like a positive development at first glance. However, the drop comes after years of steady increase. The prison population grew by 42% between 2015 and 2024.
GDPA’s report attributes the main reason for the 2025 decline to an exceptional royal pardon. A total of 24,598 prisoners benefited from royal pardons during the year, a sharp increase compared to 2024. In July alone, more than 17,000 inmates were released in a single pardon.
While the pardons lowered the number of inmates, it is uncertain if this trend would continue without similar measures.
At the same time, Morocco has started implementing alternative sentences as part of its justice reform. Courts had issued 1,001 rulings involving 1,077 alternative penalties by the end of 2025. These measures, which include community service and daily fines, led to the release of 606 people.
Although this is a step forward, the numbers remain limited compared to the scale of the prison population. In fact, the report suggests that alternative sentencing is still in its early stages and has not yet had a major impact.
It also indicates ongoing efforts to expand prison capacity and improve living conditions, including the construction of new facilities.
