Imprisonment conditions should be improved

A report of the Justice, legislation and human rights committee of the House of Representatives (lower chamber), called for the improvement of imprisonment conditions in Moroccan jails and for the increase of their current capacity.

The report said despite efforts to improve inmates' conditions, jails are facing some problems related to "insufficient infrastructure and equipment, and the situation of detainees."

The document, based on a survey conducted in jails in Casablanca, Sale and Kenitra, pointed out to overcrowding in prisons, and the weakness of sanitary, leisure and social infrastructure for inmates.

The report recommended "rationalization of custody and enhancement of conditional release." It also stressed the necessity of providing sufficient sanitary and medical infrastructure, and the use of information technologies in administrative management.

As for the situation of detainees, the report insists on efficient application of laws ruling prisons, the publication of a detainee's guide including their rights and duties, the separation of inmates and temporary detainees and the improvement of jail employees' conditions.