According to a Royal Decree issued by the king on Friday, prisoners will be exempted from annual fees of up to SR5,000 paid by them to Saudi universities.

Families of prisoners, who continue their education inside jails and reformatories, commended the king's humanitarian gesture, adding that it would have positive impact on the minds of inmates.

Minister of Social Affairs Yousuf Al-Othaimeen said the royal gesture would encourage a large number of prisoners to complete their university education and improve their academic qualifications to get better jobs.

He urged inmates of prisoners and reformatories who have completed secondary education to use their spare time for the benefit of themselves and their families and attend various university courses.

An informed source at the directorate of prisons said it would coordinate with universities to expedite procedures for inmates to join university courses.

"We have also plans to increase the monthly remunerations given to prisoners from SR450 to SR470 or more to help meet their personal expenses," the source pointed out.

The directorate organizes vocational training courses inside prisons in coordination with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC).

A number of companies now employ prisoners and pay them monthly salaries of up to SR1,500. Training courses are given in computer operation and maintenance, air conditioning, electronics, welding, painting, car mechanics and electric works.

The TVTC has set up an institute to accommodate prisoners.