RIYADH: The Interior Ministry is considering using electronic bracelets on detainees in rehabilitation programs, which would be worn during the period of time prior to sentencing or while living with their families.

Sources confirmed to Al-Madinah newspaper that the Interior Ministry continues to expand the use of electronic bracelets for prisoners to monitor them from a distance, noting that the ministry has already used these bracelets on 500 prisoners over the last period in its first stage. In 80 percent of cases, prisoners were away for humanitarian reasons, including offering condolences, marriage, or visiting sick relatives in hospitals.

The duration of the use of the electronic bracelets varied from one prisoner to another, ranging from three days to six months, and occurs in coordination with the Ministry of Justice.

The electronic bracelet is placed on the ankle of the prisoner to ensure that the individual stays in the vicinity of his home in the case of house arrest, or within a particular neighborhood, rather than the prison, and is connected to an automated control room which accurately monitors the individual’s movements.

Sources reported that the application of the electronic bracelet is optional and not compulsory, where the detainee is given a choice between sitting in prison or wearing the bracelet and staying at home. Prisoners who do not adhere to the rules of the electronic monitoring are treated as if they had escaped from prison.

This comes as the General Directorate of Prisons held a series of workshops dedicated to studying and developing nutrition conditions in prisons. A group of experts and specialists from various sectors and organizations in the field of food and nutrition participated in order to help achieve a better system of meals in prisons.

Additionally, 25 female prison sector soldiers from various cities completed the second training course specializing in prison work, which was held under the umbrella of the Directorate General of Prisons in cooperation with Naif Arab University for Security Sciences in Riyadh.