Denial by Béni Mellal Prison Administration Regarding Inmate’s Death

The administration of Béni Mellal local prison denied on Monday the circulating reports about the death of an inmate suffering from a contagious disease. It confirmed that the inmate had received the necessary medical care throughout his incarceration.

In a clarification statement, the prison authority specified that the inmate, identified as (R.A.), was admitted to the facility while suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). During his detention, he received 69 medical consultations at the prison infirmary and 27 specialized consultations at the Regional Hospital Center of Béni Mellal.

Due to his fragile health condition, he was transferred 20 times to the hospital’s emergency department and was hospitalized 18 times, accumulating a total of 219 days in the hospital. Additionally, he spent a total of 720 days in the prison clinic.

Despite all the medical care, his health worsened about two months ago after contracting tuberculosis. He was then placed under the appropriate treatment protocol and monitored by pulmonology specialists at the regional hospital.

His attending physician recommended his discharge from the hospital on March 6, 2025, after noticing an improvement in his condition. However, on March 7, 2025, he experienced chest pain and was transferred to the emergency department, where he passed away upon arrival.