Morocco's prison system is collapsing under its own weight. With occupancy exceeding installed capacity by 30%, prisons are becoming social powder kegs. The lack of space leads to unsanitary conditions, limited access to drinking water and medical care, and constant tension among inmates that challenges any attempt at rehabilitation.
Surveillance technology: more eyes, less space 🎥
To manage the chaos, closed-circuit video surveillance and facial recognition systems have been implemented. These tools allow monitoring movements in hallways and yards, reducing the number of guards needed. However, the high population density nullifies part of their effectiveness: cameras become saturated with human masses, and algorithms fail to distinguish individuals in spaces where the distance between bodies is minimal. Technology corrects symptoms, not causes.
Innovative solution: stacking beds like a puzzle 🛏️
Faced with the lack of space, some suggest redesigning cells with retractable bunk beds from the ceiling, like in a low-cost student dormitory. The idea is simple: if you can't expand the prison, multiply it vertically. Of course, the problem is that when everyone lowers the beds at the same time, the floor will disappear and inmates will end up sleeping in the hallway. But hey, at least there will be room for dinner, as long as they eat standing up.