Rehabilitation of Prisoners through Heritage: Launch of the Handicraft Treasures Program in Tamsna
On Tuesday, the local prison in Tamsna officially launched the Moroccan Handicraft Treasures Program for prison institutions. This initiative was inaugurated under the supervision of Lahcen Saadi, the Secretary of State in charge of traditional crafts and social and solidarity economy, and Mohamed Saleh Tamk, the General Delegate for Prison Administration and Reintegration. This step aims to cement cooperation between the traditional craft sector and the General Delegation, within the framework of an expanded partnership agreement that also includes UNESCO and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Reintegration of Prisoners.
The program focuses on providing precise vocational training for male and female inmates in a variety of authentic crafts that reflect Moroccan identity. The training covers skills such as zellige tilework, Salé embroidery, saddle-making, as well as leather craft and plant-based products from the southern regions of the Kingdom. This diversity in crafts aims to preserve intangible cultural heritage and simultaneously provide inmates with rare skills that are in demand in the job market.
According to a joint statement from the organizing parties, this initiative seeks to empower inmates to develop their knowledge and craft skills, thereby ensuring them real opportunities for reintegration into the socio-professional fabric upon regaining their freedom. The program is a crucial link in the broader efforts aimed at transforming the prison space into a center for rehabilitation and production, making it easier for released individuals to build a decent and stable life away from the specter of recidivism.
