Moroccan Association of Judges responds to prison overcrowding concerns

The Moroccan Association of Judges has expressed surprise at a recent statement from the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR).

This statement held the judicial authority responsible  for the overcrowding and rapid increase in prison facilities due to the rise in arrests.

The Delegation warned that this situation might lead to security concerns and management issues.

The Association, representing judicial professionals, rejected any actions that could affect the judiciary’s independence or influence its decisions. It stressed that decisions about detention or release are based solely on fair and proper use of the law, with clear justifications.

The Association said, in a statement, that the General Delegation should communicate primarily with the government, which is responsible for this sector. 

The Association further noted that the public being addressed by the General Delegation’s statement is the same public that has consistently advocated for strong measures against crime and against leniency towards criminals. This is especially significant as Morocco, with a population over 40 million, has experienced a continuous increase in crime.

The Association commended the upcoming legislative efforts to modify criminal law and introduce alternatives to pretrial detention, and urged a swift implementation of this initiative to address the issue.

It pointed out the efforts of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor in streamlining detention procedures, as reflected in their consecutive reports. 

It is worth noting that Morocco’s prison system has recently reported a record-high inmate population, with DGAPR revealing that 100,004 prisoners are currently incarcerated. 

This number is almost double the maximum capacity of 64,600 beds, raising significant concerns about overcrowding. For instance, the local prison in Casablanca’s Ain Sebaa neighborhood, designed for 3,800 inmates, now holds 10,877 prisoners, nearly three times its capacity.