Morocco expands use of alternative sentences, frees hundreds of inmates

Morocco has handed down more than 1,300 alternative sentences in less than six months, leading to the release of hundreds of inmates as part of a push to modernize the country’s criminal justice system, the justice minister said.

Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi said 1,392 alternative penalties were issued between Aug. 22, 2025, and Feb. 11, 2026. Those rulings resulted in the release of 782 prisoners, while authorities recorded 85 cases where offenders failed or refused to comply.

The figures came in a written response to a parliamentary question, offering one of the first detailed looks at how the system is working on the ground.

Daily fines were the most commonly used penalty, accounting for 626 cases. Community service followed with 466 cases, while 285 rulings involved restrictions on rights or supervisory, rehabilitation or medical measures. Electronic monitoring remained limited, with just 15 cases recorded.

Ouahbi said the range of penalties shows courts are using different tools depending on each case, rather than relying mainly on prison terms.

Out of 1,054 enforcement orders received, 838 were carried out, the minister said. Another 89 orders were still pending, and 50 cases involved outright refusal to carry out the sentence.

Authorities said the enforced rulings led directly to the release of 782 inmates. However, the rollout has not been without complications. Officials tracked several procedural situations, including 43 cases where individuals were already free when sentenced and 22 cases where detainees were released before enforcement orders were issued.

There were also nine cases where offenders were waiting to serve half of their prison term before becoming eligible, and three cases involving individuals detained for other crimes.

Noncompliance remains a concern. Of the 85 recorded cases, 50 involved refusal to comply and 35 were breaches during implementation. Daily fines saw the highest number of refusals, while community service recorded the most breaches.

Seven violations were tied to new crimes committed during the enforcement period, and one breach involved electronic monitoring.

Ouahbi said judges retain full discretion in choosing alternative penalties, based on legal guidelines and the specifics of each case.

He described the reform as part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on prison sentences, improve the effectiveness of punishment and support social reintegration, while maintaining public safety.