JEDDAH, 12 July — Prisoners in Riyadh will soon be sent to work outside the prison walls.
This is part of a rehabilitation scheme to be launched by the Prison Department under the supervision of Riyadh Deputy Governor Prince Sattam. According to new regulations, the prisoners should return to their cells at the end of the day’s work at private companies where they would be trained and employed .
Director of Riyadh’s Prisons Department Brig. Gen. Muhammad Al-Zahrani said the scheme is being implemented in line with the directives of higher authorities to provide greater attention and rehabilitation facilities to prisoners, Al-Riyadh daily reported yesterday. "Prisons in Riyadh are currently preparing to send out the first batch of prisoners to work in private companies. They will be governed by certain strict regulations and paid suitably so that they can support their families. Those who prove their skills will get an opportunity to continue their work in the establishment that train and employ them after their release. The scheme also aims at preparing the inmates for their smooth integration back into society," the daily quoted Al-Zahrani as saying.
The new move is different from the reform scheme launched two years ago to employ prisoners within the jail premises. Under the existing scheme prisoners are being trained and employed in the manufacture of wooden furniture and metal products with the support of Hamad ibn Saeedan, secretary general of the Riyadh Charity Society, Al-Zahrani said.
The jail director also disclosed that Muayyed Al-Mazrou, director general of Al-Mohaydeb Company for Metal Industries has agreed to offer employment to prisoners. Al-Zahrani appealed to owners of factories, companies, banks and other private enterprises to participate in the humanitarian act of rehabilitating jail inmates. He noted that this would also help boost the Saudization process.
