Prisons in Morocco: An additional bed capacity of 5,212 beds in 2023

Hibapress

The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) affirmed that it had made available an additional bed capacity of 5,212 beds in 2023, bringing prison capacity to 64,649 beds, as part of the humanization of conditions. of incarceration in Moroccan prisons.

In its activity report for the year 2023, the DGAPR reports an increase of approximately 3% in accommodation capacity, noting that this figure remains insufficient to significantly reduce the rate of prison overcrowding. , estimated at 159%, and increase the average surface area devoted to each inmate, which barely amounts to 1.75 m².

The DGAPR has increased efforts to complete construction projects for new penitentiary establishments in order to improve prison capacity and combat the phenomenon of overcrowding, as well as rehabilitation projects for old penitentiary establishments, to adapt them to the conditions of necessary accommodation.

In this wake, the report noted that the equipment of the various penitentiary establishments has been reinforced, by covering their needs in blankets, mattresses, beds and televisions, by generalizing central water heaters for the distribution of hot water and by equipping the pavilions dedicated to mothers accompanied by their children and the hairdressing salons of the new penitentiary establishments, the necessary equipment and tools.

Particular importance has also been given to food within prison establishments, allocating significant financial resources to ensure that the meals provided contain all the necessary nutritional elements and meet the conditions relating to food quality and safety. .

The DGAPR also ensures that it continues to strengthen the approach to human rights in prisons and establishes practices based on the balance between the requirements of security and discipline and the need to preserve the dignity of prisoners and their right to decent and humane treatment, through the training of prison officials in areas relating to human rights and behavior with prisoners.

As well as the consolidation of coordination and cooperation relations with bodies active in the field of human rights, responsible for monitoring the action of penitentiary establishments, headed by the National Human Rights Council ( CNDH), underlines the report, noting that judicial authorities and regional prison control commissions also play an important role in defining the reality of penitentiary establishments and the constraints they face in the exercise of their tasks.

In the area of ​​health and psychological care, the report indicates that the general delegation adopts a dynamic strategy of rapid and sustainable change and adaptation, based on the provision of quality, effective and accessible health services, which correspond to the specific needs of prisoners, while taking into account the challenges posed by the constant increase in their numbers.

In this context, the DGAPR is continuing its efforts to improve reception and care structures by developing new prison medical units, rehabilitating old units and improving medical-technical equipment.

Thus, at the end of 2023, the number of prison medical units reached 60, and the fleet of ambulances in penitentiary establishments was reinforced by three additional ambulances, bringing the number of establishments to 69 prisons which currently have ambulances.

The report also revealed that the DGAPR is keen to equip its medical and paramedical staff with the necessary professional knowledge and capabilities to improve their performance and strengthen their interventions. To this end, training cycles were organized in 2023 for some 600 healthcare workers and certain prison officials.

She also continued the mobilization of doctors permanently employed in prison establishments, so that they make periodic visits to other institutions which do not have them.

This mobilization made it possible, according to the report, to ensure permanent medical coverage in general medicine in 76% of prison establishments compared to 68% in 2022, which is equivalent to 93% of prisoners currently benefiting from permanent medical coverage in general medicine. compared to 87% in 2022.

Regarding dental care coverage, 71% of prison establishments have permanent coverage, compared to 68% in 2022, which allows 87% of prisoners to benefit from it, compared to 86% in 2022.