Morocco’s prison population saw a significant decline in 2025, primarily due to an exceptional royal pardon. By the end of December, the number of inmates reached 99,366, which is a 5.45% decrease compared to the previous year.
This drop comes after a troubling trend where the prison population grew by 42% between 2015 and 2024. In July 2025 alone, more than 17,000 inmates were released as part of a single royal pardon, which allowed a total of 24,598 prisoners to benefit from this clemency.
The General Delegation for Prison Administration (GDPA) has also taken steps toward prison reform by implementing alternative sentencing measures. By the end of 2025, courts issued 1,001 rulings involving 1,077 alternative penalties. Among these, 606 individuals were released due to these new measures.
This shift reflects a growing recognition of the need for alternatives to incarceration. However, it raises questions about healthcare for released prisoners. In England, gaps in healthcare access can lead to medication disruptions for those reintegrating into society.
The community response has been mixed. While many celebrate the reduced numbers in prisons as a step toward humane treatment, others worry about the implications for public safety and whether this decline will continue without similar pardons or reforms.
As Morocco navigates these changes, officials have not confirmed whether further royal pardons will be issued in the near future. The focus now shifts to ensuring that released individuals receive adequate support and healthcare as they reintegrate into their communities.
Kwame Ofori
Evelyn Mensah
Ama Serwah