##  Morocco Embraces "New Model of Justice" with Alternative Sentencing Law

**Decree Grants Prison Administration Authority, Shifting Focus from Punishment to Rehabilitation**

In a significant step towards criminal justice reform, the Moroccan government has approved a decree empowering the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration to implement the country's new alternative sentencing law. The landmark legislation, set to come into force at the end of August, aims to reduce prison overcrowding and shift the focus from punishment to rehabilitation.

The decree, No. 2.25.638, was presented by Digital Transition and Administrative Reform Minister Delegate Amal Falah during the government council's weekly meeting on Thursday. This measure grants the prison authority full responsibility for executing the alternative sentencing law, a move described as a "significant advancement in human rights and criminal justice reform."

"This law marks a clear commitment to human rights and introduces a rehabilitative focus in criminal justice," stated Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas at a post-cabinet press briefing.  He emphasized that this new model of justice is inspired by royal directives to humanize the system and reduce prison overcrowding.

**Offering Alternatives to Incarceration:**

Beginning at the end of August, courts will be able to offer eligible defendants alternative sentencing options such as electronic monitoring and community service. These measures are designed to reintegrate offenders into society while still meeting the objectives of justice, Baitas explained.  He stressed that these alternatives are aimed at helping offenders rehabilitate and reintegrate without undermining public safety or victims' rights.

**Balancing Reform with Security:**

To ensure a balance between reform and security concerns, the law limits eligibility to misdemeanors and excludes serious crimes such as embezzlement, bribery, abuse of power, drug trafficking, human trafficking, organ trade, and the sexual exploitation of minors. Repeat offenders are also excluded from benefiting from the law's provisions.

**International Alignment:**

Baitas noted that this legislative reform responds to recommendations from international human rights organizations, including the United Nations, aligning Morocco’s legal system with global standards on justice and detainee rights. 


"The law is a vital step toward a more modern, rights-based penal policy and will help reduce prison overcrowding by offering structured alternatives for less severe offenses," Baitas concluded. 


##  Morocco Embraces "New Model of Justice" with Alternative Sentencing Law

**Decree Grants Prison Administration Authority, Shifting Focus from Punishment to 

#Alternative penalties

Morocco approves decree granting prison administration authority to enforce alternative sentencing law