Significant Reduction in Incarceration Rates
According to the annual report published by the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, there has been a notable decrease in the number of prisoners in Morocco, dropping by 5.45% between the years 2024 and 2025. As of December 31, 2025, the total prison population stood at 99,366 inmates, which translates to approximately 280 prisoners for every 100,000 citizens. Among these individuals, there are 1,112 minors and 2,456 women, highlighting a diverse demographic within the correctional system.
The report further details the socio-economic backgrounds of the prisoners, revealing that 62,982 are single, 2,339 are elderly, 14,820 are unemployed, and 1,696 are foreign nationals. The average age of prisoners is reported to be 33.62 years. Additionally, the year 2025 saw a decline in the number of new admissions, with 98,446 individuals entering the system compared to 101,157 in 2024. Conversely, there was an increase in the number of releases, which reached 104,485, compared to 98,673 the previous year. This trend indicates a positive shift towards a higher rate of release relative to admissions.
Demographic Insights and Overcrowding Challenges
Examining the age distribution, over 45% of prisoners are under the age of 30, while single individuals constitute a staggering 63.38% of the inmate population, followed by married individuals at approximately 29.44%. The representation of women in the prison system remains limited, accounting for only 2.47% of the total population. Educationally, more than 74% of prisoners have only completed primary or secondary education, with 8.82% classified as illiterate and 4.14% having attained higher education qualifications.
Regionally, the Casablanca-Settat area has the highest concentration of prisoners at 19.76%, followed by Rabat-Salé-Kénitra at 17.92%, and Fes-Meknes at 15.34%. Furthermore, the total area allocated for prison accommodation reached 178,413 square meters by the end of 2025, totaling 64,812 beds. Nationally, the overcrowding rate stands at 153%, a decrease from 161% at the end of 2024, indicating an ongoing improvement in prison conditions. The General Delegation attributes this decline to a reduction of 5,689 inmates while maintaining a relatively stable capacity during the same period, ultimately leading to the lowest overcrowding rate recorded to date.
As reported by akhbarona.com.
