EP inmates now get family privileges

Eastern Province prisons will soon be the first correctional facilities in the Kingdom to implement the Prison Family Home Project, which will allow visits by family members in special houses.
Brig. Abdulrahman Al-Ruwaisan, director general of prisons in the Eastern Province, said that an inmate will be entitled to receive his wife, children and parents for a whole day once a month in a furnished house with a living room, two bedrooms and a kitchen. The houses are attached to the prisons.
He said that some eligible inmates would also be allowed visits outside the prison for one day a month — or three days every three months — if their families live outside the region. Inmates are eligible for these facilities if they meet certain conditions, including not being convicted of a major crime such as murder, having a record of good behavior, having served at least half of their sentences, and having sponsors for the period they spend outside the prison.
Eastern Province prisons also have the external work program where an inmate — who should meet the conditions mentioned above — can work outside the prison and return after working hours. “This program is aimed at rehabilitating inmates into society,” Al-Ruwaisan said.
He said 55 to 60 percent of the prisoners in the Eastern Province have been convicted of drug-related crimes, followed by theft. “Saudi women inmates account for 5 percent,” he said.
Prisoners can also continue their education behind bars. “There are schools for the regular three stages of public education in addition to university degree programs,” he said.
The General Administration of Prisons aims to establish more schools, provide specialists and teachers and coordinate with universities to make available distance learning programs for inmates.
Al-Ruwaisan said more than 70 inmates in Eastern Province prisons have been given rooms and computers to continue their degree studies through distance learning.
There is also a focus on cultural and sport events. A cultural camp comprising social and sport lectures and events is held every year. Inmates can compete in football, volleyball, tennis and table tennis. They can also participate in and enjoy plays performed by inmates.
A large library is also available with a closed-circuit television system. There are religious, cultural and health-related CDs. Inmates are also provided with Qur’an memorization programs. Those who memorize the Qur’an can have their sentences reduced by half under certain conditions, and those who memorize parts of it also have their sentences reduced accordingly. “All those who memorize the Qur’an or parts of it receive financial rewards,” he said, adding that almost none of the Qur’an memorizers have returned to prison after being released.
The administration makes sure inmates are treated for diseases and mental illnesses. It also refers every new inmate to a social worker who later submits a recommendation to the National Committee for the Care of Prisoners to support him financially if he qualifies.
Al-Ruwaisan said Eastern Province prisons have special awards for inmates who have developed good habits, such as not smoking.
There are also vocational training courses with different industry specializations. Inmates undertaking these courses at factories outside the prison are considered employees because they are registered with the General Organization for Social Insurance. They receive allowances and incentives and have the opportunity to join a factory when they are released. “It is mandatory for factories but optional for the inmates,” he said. He urged businessmen and investors to establish factories inside prisons.