HRC: No abuse in Kingdom’s prisons

Allegations of abuse in the Kingdom’s prison system are unfounded, a report by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) recently concluded.
Their investigation was conducted through a series of interviews with prisoners, their families and prison authorities.
Dr. Bandar Al-Aiban, president of the Human Rights Commission, told Arab News: “We consistently monitor all aspects of prison life to ensure healthy living conditions for all.”
The role of the HRC is to supervise and monitor the Kingdom’s prisons to ensure they strictly adhere to prisoner rights and regulations. In addition they ensure prisoners receive a fair criminal investigation and trial The HRC also released statistics for the first-quarter of this year and reported the total number of prisoners in Saudi prisons was 3,184.
The HRC said in a statement: “Of these detainees, 462 have been convicted and 1,215 have been transferred to court.
“The Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution has completed investigations on 1,277 while 230 are still under investigation.” The department has set free 1,662 individuals during the past seven months, the statement said.
“A total of 119 people are receiving counseling at the Prince Muhammad bin Naif Center in preparation for their release.” The commission added 216 would join the center shortly.
The statement said HRC has been monitoring the wellbeing of prisoners and ensuring procedures are being followed with regard to their care.
The statement added: “We have also met with prisoners to hear their complaints, problems and observations.”
The HRC emphasized higher authorities including the commission are constantly monitoring prisons.
The commission denied reports that inmates in prisons have been hurt.
The statement added: “We welcome inquiries from the families of prisoners about their relatives.” The HRC also said the number of detainees in the prisons under the intelligence department reached 3,184 until July 16, 2012.
“Of these detainees, 462 have been convicted, 1,215 have been transferred to court, the Bureau of Investigation and Public Prosecution has completed investigation on 1,277 while 230 are still under investigation,” the HRC said.
The department has set free 1,662 individuals during the past seven months, the statement said. “A total of 119 people are receiving counseling at Prince Muhammad bin Naif Center in preparation to release them,” the HRC said, adding 216 will join the center shortly.
The statement said HRC has been following up the procedures as well as the living and health conditions of prisoners. “We have also met with prisoners to hear their complaints, problems and observations,” the statement said.
The HRC emphasized that higher authorities including the commission monitor the department’s prisons to ensure the detainees get their rights.
The commission denied reports that inmates in the department’s prisons have been hurt. “We welcome inquiries from the kith and kin of prisoners about their relatives,” the statement added.