Morocco Sees First Decline in Prison Population After a Decade of Continuous Growth

Morocco's prison population has declined for the first time in a decade, with a 5.45% drop in 2025 to 99,366 inmates, according to the latest figures from the General Delegation for Administration and Reinsertion (DGAPR).

This decline is attributed to the royal pardons granted in July 2025, which affected 17,091 individuals, as well as the increasing use of alternative sentencing measures.

The DGAPR reports that Morocco has a prison population of approximately 280 inmates per 100,000 inhabitants, which is higher than the global average of 144.

Despite the decline, the pressure on the prison system remains high, with an occupancy rate of 153% in 2025.

The introduction of alternative sentencing measures, which came into effect in 2025, aims to reduce the number of people incarcerated.

Between August 22 and December 31, 2025, 1,001 judgments were issued, resulting in 1,077 alternative sentences, including 245 restrictions on rights or rehabilitation measures.

The use of alternative sentencing measures is expected to continue, with the DGAPR noting a dynamic of judicial application.

However, the impact of these measures on the prison population remains limited, and the pressure on the prison system is expected to persist.

The Moroccan government has taken steps to address the issue, including the implementation of alternative sentencing measures and the reduction of the prison population through royal pardons.

The decline in the prison population is a positive development, but it is essential to continue addressing the underlying issues driving the high incarceration rates in Morocco.