HANAN HARET

Morocco – For many former female inmates in Morocco, freedom does not begin after being released from prison. The end of a sentence does not erase the psychological and social constraints that follow, as former inmates face what they call “the court of society” — daily judgment through stares, silence, and prejudice. For many, release is only the start of another battle, often harsher than incarceration itself.

According to the figures of Morocco's General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR), the number of female prisoners in 2024 was around 1,816, with 1,574 currently behind bars. Women make up about 2.5% of the overall prison population and roughly 4% of new inmates each year.

Punishment beyond prison walls

Maryam Mohammed (a pseudonym), a former inmate, is a woman in her sixties and mother of three adult children from Casablanca. She was imprisoned three years ago for issuing a cheque without sufficient funds. “I did not try to cheat,” she said. “I was going through a severe financial crisis and took a risk.”

Her release, however, marked the start of a different sentence. Neighbors’ whispers, relatives’ avoidance, and severed social stigma left her feeling more confined outside prison than inside it.

“I served a short prison sentence, but its consequences still follow me today,” she explained. “People’s view of me has not changed. Some whisper behind me; others avoid speaking to me.”

“I thought prison was the punishment, but I discovered the real trial begins afterwards,” she said, adding: “Society does not forget. I am not asking for much — only to be treated with respect.”  She had simple dreams: a normal life, a home free of suspicion, and visits without judgment. But she knows that forgiveness under the law does not erase stigma in society.

Weight of stigma

According to Wahiba Arsh, member of L'association Relais Prison Société, the harshest part of imprisonment for many women begins after their release.

“Former inmates don’t just carry the trauma of prison itself,” she said. “They also face powerful social stigma within their families and communities. In many cases, families refuse to support them, even if their prison term was the result of injustice or hardship.”

She explained that women are often seen as a source of shame — rejected as mothers, wives, and community members. This rejection compounds their vulnerability and obstructs reintegration. “One woman in her sixties came to us seeking rehabilitation. She couldn’t even afford transport to the center, and told me: ‘Even my children don’t know I am coming here.”

Arsh added that many had been imprisoned over neighborhood disputes or family problems, yet they emerge burdened with chronic shame and fear of exposure — even when their offences were not serious crimes.

Legal, psychological support

The association begins its work by listening to women. “Most women released from prison desperately need someone who understands their suffering,” Arsh said. “We first provide psychological support to them, then try to find a job for them according to their skills— especially since many are mothers struggling to cover their children’s school expenses.”

The association also provides legal support to women, giving information about their rights, particularly under Article 688 of Morocco’s penal code, which automatically restores a former prisoner’s legal status unless they receive a new custodial sentence within the specified period. The association also assists them in obtaining the necessary documents to access economic opportunities that safeguard dignity and prevent further marginalization.

“In the eyes of society, women are always the guilty party,” she added. “This mindset assumes men are always right and accuses women regardless of circumstances. Women are expected to endure, obey, and serve — always judged, rarely recognized as active members of society.”

Long way to reintegration

Despite the efforts of associations such as L'association Relais Prison Société, the fight for social acceptance remains long and complex. Persistent stigma and limited institutional support mean, for many women, freedom remains incomplete.

The lingering question is whether these women will ever be given a genuine chance to reintegrate and reclaim social recognition — or if freedom will remain perpetually out of reach.