Moroccan courts have issued a total of 360 rulings involving alternative penalties, including daily fines, community service, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitative measures, as of September 30, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance restorative justice and alleviate prison overcrowding, according to Rashid Addi, head of the pre-trial detention monitoring unit at the Supreme Judicial Council.
During a seminar on “Applications of Alternative Sentencing Law” in Beni Mellal, Addi highlighted that daily fines are the most frequently imposed penalties, followed by community service, then monitoring and rehabilitative measures, and finally electronic monitoring. He noted that the implementation of certain penalties, particularly community service, faces logistical challenges due to the Ministry of Justice being the sole authority capable of coordinating with the relevant institutions.
Addi asserted that the effectiveness of alternative penalties relies on continuous judicial oversight to ensure the proper application of the law, regulate the behavior of all parties involved, and achieve the primary goal of reintegrating offenders into society while reducing prison overcrowding, all while upholding public order and respecting individual rights.
He emphasized that the role of the judiciary extends beyond merely issuing sentences; it encompasses two essential phases: determining the method and timeline for executing the penalty, including selecting the responsible institution while considering the health and social circumstances of the offender, and ongoing judicial monitoring to ensure compliance with the stipulated conditions, receiving regular reports, and taking appropriate actions in case of any breaches.
Additionally, the Judge in Charge of Implementing Sentences has the authority to modify the alternative penalty, suspend its execution temporarily, or reinstate the original penalty if the conditions are not met. This reflects a fundamental safeguard in the alternative sentencing system, affirming the mandatory execution and equality before the law.
Addi indicated that the Supreme Judicial Council closely monitors the law’s implementation by coordinating with partner institutions, providing practical explanations to judges, addressing challenges, and offering solutions to ensure proper application.
