CAN Morocco 2025: “PRIS-AFCON” Program Launched for Inmates at Tamesna Prison
On Thursday, the “PRIS-AFCON” program was launched at the local prison in Tamesna, offering inmates a series of activities as part of the initiatives tied to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) in Morocco.
Aligned with the strategic vision of strengthening the human and social dimension of penitentiary institutions, the program includes a mini-football tournament involving 150 inmates from 15 African nationalities.
It also provides for the broadcast of CAN matches across all cells and living areas in the prisons, along with interactive sessions with former players, journalists, and sports professionals. Civil society associations are participating through workshops and other parallel activities.
Speaking at the event, Benaissa Bennasser, head of the Educational Reintegration and Social and Cultural Action Department at the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR), said the “PRIS-AFCON” program “aims to create a sporting and cultural space within prisons, to promote values of discipline, citizenship, and teamwork, as well as to strengthen a shared African spirit.”
He added that the initiative reflects the DGAPR’s ongoing efforts to turn prisons into spaces that teach coexistence and embrace diverse cultures, highlighting Morocco’s African dimension and fostering a culture of inclusion while contributing to societal development.
Bennasser also noted that the program intends to position inmates as active participants in the major social changes and events the Kingdom is experiencing, allowing them to contribute to society as productive members.
National team coach Rachid Taoussi described the program as “an important social gesture, primarily aimed at reinforcing inmates’ reintegration, while enabling them to connect with Morocco’s major sporting events.” He praised the DGAPR’s sustained efforts across penitentiary institutions and said the program “will bring the atmosphere of this continental event closer to inmates, strengthening their sense of belonging and participation in national joy.”
Similar football activities will be organized at other facilities, including Oudaya prison in Marrakech, Tanger 2 prison, Ras El Ma prison in Fès, the Casablanca Reform and Rehabilitation Center, and Aït Melloul prison in Agadir, in collaboration with local clubs. These events will include workshops and activities in a festive environment, promoting coexistence, fair play, and a shared African identity.
Through these initiatives, the DGAPR reaffirms its commitment to integrating inmates into national and continental dynamics, supporting rehabilitation and reintegration, and connecting penitentiary institutions with the broader community.
Editorial team/le7tv
