“The DGAPR, while expressing its deep concern at this glaring increase, is asking the judicial and administrative authorities to find solutions as soon as possible to the problem of overcrowding in prisons, in order to avoid any malfunctions or security complications that could arise from this worrying situation, in addition to problems linked to accommodation, catering, health care and access to rehabilitation and reintegration programs,” the Delegation said in a press release.
According to the same source, as of August 07, 2023, the number of inmates in prisons had reached a record 100,004, knowing that the capacity of these establishments does not currently exceed 64,600 beds, despite the sustained efforts made by the Delegation to modernize and increase the number of prisons in the Kingdom.
To shed further light on the issue of overcrowding in prisons, the Delegation points out, by way of example, that the number of inmates in the Aïn Sebaa local prison in Casablanca has reached 10,877, whereas the prison’s capacity does not exceed 3,800 beds.
The DGAPR concludes that the prison population is likely to continue to grow in the future if the current rate of detention is maintained, and if no urgent measures are taken to remedy the situation.
