Morocco Enhances Its Leadership in Prison Management and Opens Its Doors for Training African Officials
Mohammed Salah Tamk, the General Delegate for Prison Administration and Reintegration, confirmed that Morocco is offering its expertise and training facilities to African prison administrations. This statement was made during the seventh conference of the African Prison Administrations Association, held in Morocco under the theme "Technology in Managing Correctional Institutions in Africa," in partnership with the African Association.
Tamk emphasized that Morocco’s hosting of this conference reflects the trust the delegation enjoys among its African counterparts, noting that Morocco is committed to enhancing South-South cooperation and sharing its experiences in areas such as security management, reintegration, human resources, and full compliance with international human rights standards.
In the past decade, 176 African officials and staff benefited from 17 visits and training sessions hosted by the Training Center in Tiflet. The delegation also sent 21 officials to nine missions in various African countries between 2014 and 2020.
Digitalization and artificial intelligence were central themes in Tamk’s presentation, where he stressed the importance of digital transformation in improving the performance of correctional facilities. Morocco has integrated digital management in the execution of sentences, handling prisoners’ health and financial files, processing complaints, organizing family visits, and transferring inmates. Distance learning and digital schooling within prisons have also been implemented in partnership with universities and the Ministry of National Education.
Tamk asserted that the digital court model represents a successful approach to enhancing judicial efficiency by speeding up case resolutions, reducing the burden of prisoner transfers, and optimizing human resources.
For her part, Minister Nadia Fettah affirmed that Morocco is always ready to work with its African brothers in various fields, especially concerning prison administration reform.
Tamk called for the establishment of a permanent headquarters and secretariat for the African Prison Administrations Association to strengthen coordination mechanisms between member countries. He also proposed reviewing financial contributions and seeking new funding sources to support the Association’s programs.
In conclusion, he emphasized the importance of activating the recommendations from the first African Forum for Prison Administrations, particularly regarding the establishment of permanent working committees and the development of artificial intelligence use in prison management, while also highlighting environmental considerations and enhancing prison intelligence within the African system.
