The delegation, headed by HRC Deputy Chairman Zaid Al-Hussain, visited all the cells of the public prison, including the section for women prisoners, and the reformatory.

During the eight-hour tour, the HRC delegation discussed with the prison’s administrative officials the complaints that it had received from the prisoners. These were pertaining to overcrowding of the prison cells, flawed arrangements for the weekly visit of family members, improper distribution of dresses and other personal requirements, poor air-conditioning and delay in reaching notifications with regard to prisoners from the concerned agencies to the prison administration. The prisoners also complained about poor standard of meals served to them, especially on Thursdays.

The HRC delegation also inquired whether any inmates are still in prison after completion of their jail term. The delegation reviewed the general environment prevailing in the prison as well as the prison’s role in correcting the conduct of inmates through awareness and rehabilitation programs.

The visit also helped the delegation to understand the condition of women prisoners and the general problems faced by them after release.

Al-Hussain and other HRC members expressed satisfaction over the positive outcome of corrective measures taken by the administrative department of Makkah reformatory. The delegation also visited the detention center of the Administrative Investigation Department.

The last leg of the inspection tour took the delegation to the Grand Mosque, where it was briefed on various aspects of the services being extended to the Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

Al-Hussain held extensive talks with senior officials of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, including its Deputy Chairman Nasser Al-Khozaim. The delegation had a detailed briefing about the role being played by the department of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice at the presidency. 

Earlier, the delegation visited Makkah criminal court and met with its acting chief Sheikh Khaled Al-Haqabani who briefed the team on the court’s working mechanism and major areas of activities. The commission members urged the court officials to expedite court proceedings and avoid delay in pronouncing judgments.