Royal Activities
Sunday 20 May 2018

Sale: HM the King Inaugurates Vocational Training Centre in El Arjat II Local Prison, Launches Program to Support Self-Employment of Ex-Convicts - Ramadan 2018

Sale: HM the King Inaugurates Vocational Training Centre in El Arjat II Local Prison, Launches Program to Support Self-Employment of Ex-Convicts - Ramadan 2018

HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, inaugurated, Friday in El Arjat (Prefecture of Sale), a vocational training centre in El Arjat II local prison and launched a program to support micro-projects and self-employment of ex-convicts - Ramadan 2018.

Mirroring the special interest the sovereign takes in the socio-economic reintegration of ex-convicts, the new centre is part of an integrated program undertaken by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Detainees Reintegration, in collaboration with the Office of vocational training and labour promotion (OFPPT) and the delegation for penitentiary administration and reintegration.

This ambitious program, to be generalized in all Moroccan prisons, seeks to turn penitentiaries into places of rehabilitation, learning, know-how, self-improvement and reconciliation with society through cultural and sports activities, in addition to the promotion of health care, education and training.

It also promotes the socio-economic reintegration of these people who could benefit, once released, from the assistance of post-prison centres under the Mohammed VI Foundation for Detainees Reintegration.

Benefiting around 170 inmates, the centre houses workshops for metalwork, electricity, auto mechanics, sanitary plumbing, tapestry, sewing, hairdressing, office automation, plastic art, calligraphy, and computer science, in addition to a library and classrooms.

Afterwards, HM the King launched a program to support micro-projects and self-employment of ex-convicts - Ramadan 2018, which will benefit this year nearly 270 ex-convicts from the cities of Kenitra, Khemisset, Sale, Fez, Meknes, Temara, Oujda, Jerada, Nador, Beni Mellal, Safi, Agadir and Tiznit.

Initiated by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Detainees Reintegration, this program, which is worth 6.5 million dirhams, shows HM the King's interest in the future of imprisoned citizens. It also stems from the insightful royal vision to reinforce security within society, fight delinquency, reduce the number of prisoners as well as the recidivism rate and create income-generating activities. 

The said program will provide financial support or equipment to ex-convicts holding projects, elaborated on the basis of a diagnosis made during incarceration with the help of the reintegration preparation unit (SPR), in harmony with the beneficiaries' training and know-how, as well as the job market.

On this occasion, HM the King handed cheques and equipment to 20 ex-convicts with projects of income-generating activities from the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region.

MAP 18 May 2018