Azziz Akhannouch, the Head of Government, praised Morocco’s hosting of the seventh regular conference of the African Prison Administration Association, which this year focuses on the theme of technology and correctional institutions.
In an opening speech delivered on his behalf by Nadia Fettah Alaoui, Minister of Economy and Finance, on Monday at Tamnassma Local Prison, Akhannouch stated, “This conference comes at a time when the world is experiencing unprecedented digital and technological transformations. The digital transformation is paving the way for comprehensive changes in administration, particularly concerning the prison environment.”
He added, “No one today disputes that employing technology in correctional facilities is essential; it serves as a fundamental lever to enhance security, accommodation, and ensure sound management, rehabilitation, and reintegration. It is also an important tool for managing correctional institutions amid overcrowding challenges.”
He emphasized that “these issues will be addressed by leveraging internal security advantages to improve detention conditions and bolster internal security, given that technology is an effective support in the administrative reform process and in developing correctional facilities, as well as a positive step towards protecting the rights of detainees, ensuring effective monitoring of inmates, evaluating employee performance, and supervising visitors’ movements.”
He also called for “taking advantage of the opportunities that technology offers to develop the technological system and enhance its transparency, providing an inclusive and secure infrastructure at various levels,” affirming that “Morocco is attentive to such events within the context of its openness to the African depth, as it prepares to build a shared future based on solidarity and expertise.”
Akhannouch further explained, “The kingdom, recognizing the significance of digital transformations, has placed great importance on digital transformation and e-governance to facilitate these within a framework of transparency, drawing its references from laws and digital regulations.”
The Head of Government reminded attendees of “the royal speeches and constitutional articles that emphasize the importance of equitable access to various information, which pertain to all concepts of technology and the protection of individuals’ private interests; this led to the establishment of a Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.”
He added that “the delay in keeping pace with recent developments costs nations dearly, and reality urges us to adapt to the situation, as part of the royal vision for South-South cooperation,” noting an ongoing effort to “empower citizens to establish good practices in administration, as well as to make Morocco a producer of digital solutions in line with the objectives outlined in the Morocco Digital 2030 strategy.”
The notable presence of prison administration officials and interested experts at the seventh regular conference of the African Prison Administration Association, according to the Head of Government, “reflects a dimension rich in cooperation and coordination between Morocco and the African continent within the framework of the royal vision for South-South cooperation.”
Akhannouch also congratulated the Republic of Senegal for its efforts in successfully hosting the sixth edition of this conference, contributing to “enhancing cooperation among African countries in this domain,” lastly noting that “the kingdom is keen to share its experience in various fields with its African brothers, particularly regarding the management of correctional institutions, to establish and develop a renewed model.”
