Al-Aiban visited the center’s educational, cultural, sports and recreational facilities as well as a number of individuals who are benefited by the facility.

“The center has achieved international reputation and many foreign officials have visited it to benefit from its programs,” the HRC chief said and noted its intellectual and humanitarian dimensions.

Al-Aiban praised the idea behind the center, which is the brainchild of Prince Muhammad bin Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, and in charge of the Kingdom’s anti-terror campaign.

He said the inmates of the center are happy with the care and benefits they receive there as it takes care of human rights and dignity. Many foreign governments have commended the role being played by the center in transforming extremists and militants into law-abiding citizens.

The government has released a large number of militants in the past years after counseling at the center, which receives the support of government departments and private agencies.

Started in 2004, the center is manned by Islamic scholars, psychiatrists, sociologists and psychologists. When dealing with ideology, “locking him up is not enough,” said Turki M. Al-Otayan, assistant professor of psychology at King Fahd Security Academy and coordinator of the psychological-social subcommittee. “We have to fix his mind, and change his emotions (in order) to directly change his behavior.”