On efforts to integrate ex-inmates, official

The Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reinsertion of Former Inmates has disbursed some MAD 95.5m (Euro 8.45m) in programs and actions developed to the benefit of the prisoners, said Tuesday, Ms. Zoulikha Nasri, Advisor to the King and member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

Nasri, who was speaking at press conference on the occasion of the national days for the reinsertion of ex-inmates, due to take place this May 23-29, explained that these programs allowed for the training of 5,132 inmates and 677 executives especially among young detainees.

The reinsertion of this category of the population requires not only their training and education, but also the mobilization of the entire civil society so as to consider inmates as full-fledged citizens who enjoy their rights and assume their duties, she said.

Aziz Akhannouch, businessman and member of the Foundation's board, called company managers to make further efforts to create job opportunities for ex-prisoner so as to avoid offence relapses.

He said the Foundation, which was founded on January 16, 2002, has devised a program that aims at inciting banking and financial institutions to grant micro-credits to former inmates to help them create income-generating activities.

The program of the national days for the reinsertion of ex-inmates includes art exhibits, conferences and sports contests, in a bid to promote awareness in the society, through the national press, as to the importance of the socio-professional integration of inmates.