No more jail time for certain types of crimes – The New Tribune

Faced with the problem of growing prison overcrowding, many countries around the world are seeking innovative solutions to reform their prison systems. This problem particularly affects developing countries, which have limited resources but a growing number of prisoners. Governments are exploring a variety of approaches, from building new prisons to implementing reintegration programs to adopting alternative sentencing. These initiatives are aimed not only at decongesting prison facilities, but also at promoting fairer and more efficient justice. In this context, Morocco Its bold reform of the penal code serves as a model for other countries in the region.

Morocco’s judicial revolution

The entry into force of the law on August 22, 2024 marks a turning point in Moroccan judicial history No. 43.22 About alternative sentences. This ambitious reform redefines the country’s approach to criminal justice by introducing a range of sanctions to replace imprisonment for certain crimes. The text opens the way for measures such as community service, electronic monitoring and even daily fines, giving judges wider scope to adjust the sentence depending on the nature of the crime and the circumstances of the offender.

This legislative development can be likened to a chef enriching his menu with new dishes, thus satisfying a more diverse clientele while optimizing the use of resources. Similarly, the Moroccan judicial system now has a more diverse range of sanctions, allowing it to respond in a more nuanced way to different types of criminal conduct.

Targeted and supervised alternatives

Moroccan law clearly defines the scope of application of alternative sentences, reserving them for crimes punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. This targeted approach excludes serious crimes and recidivism, ensuring a balance between leniency and severity. For example, community service is for prisoners over 15 years of age and can range from 40 to 3,600 hours for the benefit of public organizations or associations working for the common good.

The introduction of daily fines represents a particularly interesting innovation. 100 and 2,000 AED For every day of imprisonment declared, it offers economic alternatives to imprisonment, taking into account the severity of the crime and the means of the convicted person. The measure is similar to a dynamic pricing system, in which « Awards» The degree of freedom is adjusted according to the offense committed and the individual’s ability to pay.

Towards a more humane and effective justice

Morocco’s reforms go beyond relieving prison overcrowding. They aim to promote more restorative justice, focused on the rehabilitation of the condemned and repairing the damage done. The monitoring, treatment or rehabilitation measures provided for by the law, rather than simple punishment, demonstrate this desire for change.

For example, electronic monitoring can control the movements of an offender without completely severing his connection with his social and professional environment. This approach can be likened to a gardener guiding the growth of a plant without tearing it from the nourishing soil, thus promoting its regeneration and future development.

Taking these alternative penalties Morocco It could serve as an inspiration to other countries facing similar challenges in the Maghreb and beyond. It illustrates how judicial reform can reconcile the needs of justice, public safety, and social reintegration. As many countries seek to modernize their penal systems, Morocco’s experience offers a promising model for combining pragmatism and humanity in the application of the law.