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Morocco’s Prison Population: Women Make Up Just 2.3% of Inmates

Sunday 21 April 2019, by Amine

This is not the news of the century but men monopolize Moroccan prisons. The number of detainees in Moroccan prisons would be around 1900 women. 42 times less than the men who are 81,000 in number. On the other hand, a comparison with France is in order.

Moroccan prisons are about 97.7% populated by men, while women represent the remaining approximately 2.29%. Indeed, the number of female inmates is 1900 while that of male inmates is 81,000.

It should be noted that France, although following the same pattern, has a higher percentage of female inmates. Indeed, on January 1, 2016, data from the French Ministry of Justice showed a percentage of 3.5% of women in French prisons. In 2018, the same, according to the International Observatory of Prisons (French section) which writes: "Women are extremely minority in detention. They represent only 3.6% of the prison population as of January 1, 2019 (2,534 people). A stable proportion. It has never exceeded 4.5% since the 1980s."

Regarding the age parameter, Moroccan prisons count, according to the Lakome2 website, 82,000 adults and 1,200 minors. The media is based on the 2018 activity report of the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR).

It should be noted that 32,000 inmates are awaiting trial.