RIYADH, 9 September 2007 — An agreement among Arab countries is currently being studied that would facilitate the exchange of inmates to serve time in their respective countries, according to the director of prisons in Saudi Arabia.
“The agreement is currently being discussed,” said Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harithi, director of prisons in the Kingdom, referring to Saudi nationals imprisoned in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The prison official made his comments yesterday at a press conference to highlight the activities of the 4th education week programs for the national committee for the care of prisoners, released prisoners and their families.
He refused to comment on the human rights violations in prisons noted by the National Society for Human Rights in their first report. “I do not want to comment on that right now. But I assure you there is a good answer to all the points raised in the report which will be mentioned soon,” he said.
The national committee responsible for arranging meetups between inmates and their families in Saudi Arabia is organizing a massive educational week for the families of prisoners a week before Ramadan. The committee’s branches in each region will organize sports activities, lectures, social programs, as well as contests throughout the week. “The main focus of these activities is to bring together the families and to let them know that they are being cared for so that the family does not break up,” said Al-Harithi.
The committee, which distributes food, clothes and financial support to the families of the prisoners, runs on funds received from charitable organizations, businessmen and philanthropists in the Kingdom.
According to an official at the committee, families eligible to receive financial assistance must prove that the inmate is the sole breadwinner for the family.
“Currently, the committee helps an average of 2,500 families of prisoners per year all over the Kingdom,” said Ahmed Al-Zahrani, secretary-general of the committee.
He said that usually that number comes down to 2,000 once the royal pardon for prisoners who do not have any private rights against them is announced by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah as customary during Ramadan.
He said the beneficiaries included Saudis and non-Saudis as Saudi Arabia does not differentiate between locals and expatriates from a humanitarian perspective. “We do not have a steady fund for distribution of food or financial aid for every committee branch in the Kingdom. It all depends on the sums gathered yearly from charity,” he said.
Al-Harithi urged the regional committees to continue their fundraising efforts. “They should make contacts with philanthropists and charitable organizations in their respective regions,” he said.
He also called on the general public to use Ramadan to reach out to families who are in dire need of financial assistance whose breadwinners are in jail.
In addition to financially supporting the families of prisoners, the committee offers rehabilitation skills for prisoners. “Many of the programs offer certificates to the prisoners which help them land jobs when they leave prison,” said a committee member.
According to a fatwa from the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, in response to a question from committee officials, Zakah can be distributed through the committee since the beneficiaries are considered to be in the category of those entitled to receive it.
Private donations to the committee can be made by contacting its customer staff at its toll free number (800 124 4344). Donations can also be made directly at Al-Rajhi Bank account number (261-000-0069) for Zakah or (261-000-1000) for donations.
