The General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration celebrated its seventeenth anniversary, an occasion that carries great significance and reflects a course of institutional reforms and achievements since its establishment as an independent entity in 2008.
This gathering provided a moment for collective reflection on a sector that has long operated in the shadows, facing significant security and humanitarian challenges to ensure safety on one hand and to protect human dignity and facilitate rehabilitation on the other.
In a speech delivered at the seventeenth session, General Delegate Mohamed Salah Tamk highlighted the central role played by prison staff, considering them a crucial foundation in executing the security and humanitarian tasks assigned to the delegation. This meeting commemorates a journey marked by numerous accomplishments, the most notable being the long-awaited issuance of a new statute for prison administration staff, who work under difficult conditions with high daily pressures.
The new statute, as mentioned in the speech, is the culmination of years of diligent work and persistent advocacy. It has improved the material and professional conditions of employees in this sector through the revision of salary and compensation systems, update of promotion and confirmation structures, and the establishment of professional standards based on competence and productivity, marking a qualitative shift towards creating a more equitable and motivating work environment.
In this context, the delegation emphasized its central role in enhancing the capabilities of its personnel through the organization of basic and ongoing training courses that align with legal and professional developments, preparing employees to effectively deal with an extremely complex and fluctuating work environment.
The delegation’s address pointed out that the success of any reform can only be achieved by investing in human resources, which is evident through various initiatives, including the development of recruitment and training processes, improving working conditions, and expanding social protection through support for the Social Solidarity Association. Furthermore, a draft law to establish an institution for promoting social work for prison staff, which is expected to be approved soon, was also highlighted.
Among the significant challenges awaiting the General Delegation in the coming phase is the implementation of Law 43.22 related to alternative sanctions, representing a fundamental shift in the country’s penal policy that necessitates expanding the role of prison employees beyond institutional walls, granting them the status of key actors in executing restorative justice, according to mechanisms that balance deterrence and reintegration.
Moreover, the delegation aims to strengthen its infrastructure, both digital and organizational, to ensure effective monitoring of alternative sanctions while maintaining strictness and discipline within the institutions through the rigorous application of laws against any deviation from professional conduct.
Mr. Tamk concluded his speech with expressions of gratitude and appreciation for all sector employees, both living and deceased, recognizing their immense sacrifices in safeguarding society and preserving human dignity. He reiterated the ongoing support and solidarity for those who have faced assaults while performing their duties, affirming the General Delegation’s commitment to continue the path of reform, opening up, and cooperating with various components of society to meet security, legal, and developmental challenges under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him.
