The Deputy Director General of Punitive and Correctional Institutions in the Ministry of Interior, Brigadier Hamad Khamis Al Dhaheri, confirmed to “Emirates Today” that there are many current and future projects aimed at integrating the released into society, including: a project to develop and amend the law of penal and correctional facilities, which includes in some Its articles form a ministerial committee for the after-care of the released, to help them integrate in their surroundings and take care of them socially, and a project to market the products of inmates in exhibitions and events at the state level, in addition to programs to rehabilitate the families of inmates to manage small projects and achieve a financial return, indicating that there is cooperation with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation In the field of rehabilitation and employment of inmates in the labor market.
Al-Dhaheri added that the ministry is implementing 24 specialized programs to support and rehabilitate inmates of penal and correctional institutions in the country.
He said that the ministry is implementing initiatives and programs for employing and supporting inmates, and is keen to provide them with social care to improve their financial level. Punitive and correctional institutions are also making great efforts to help them find suitable jobs, in cooperation with partners.
Al-Dhaheri added that the reform and rehabilitation programs offered to inmates at the state level include educational, professional, religious, cultural, sports and social programs, in addition to a program for the rehabilitation of addicts.
He explained that the educational programs include the completion of the study program, which is the completion of preparatory or secondary education, with the aim of ensuring education and obtaining the secondary certificate. It is implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Education. There is a professional diploma program, which focuses on granting a diploma in occupational health and safety in all institutions at the state level, and is implemented in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Institute for Vocational Education and Training, and a specialized program in the field of English and computer, which focuses on raising basic capabilities in language and computers, and is implemented In partnership with higher colleges of technology and some private institutes.
He emphasized that the managers of penal institutions in the country are charged with coordinating with education officials in their regions to provide academic education in accordance with the education system, and that inmates are allowed to continue their education and sit for exams of different academic levels, while exempting them from any prescribed fees.
He mentioned that religious programs include memorization of the Holy Quran, religious lectures, and new Muslims. As for cultural programs, they include libraries of penal and correctional institutions, lectures and cultural courses.
Al-Dhaheri added that the professional programs include the auto mechanics program, carpentry, sewing, drawing, dyeing, and handicraft programs, noting the employment of inmates sentenced to handicrafts for a monthly salary, according to the type of work they perform, taking into account their personal desires.
Social programs
Brigadier Hamad Khamis Al Dhaheri stressed that the Ministry of Interior implements two social programs, the first is a study of the social and psychological situation, and the second is a social assistance program for inmates and their families, indicating the presence of social researchers who play a vital role for inmates, and they form a link between the management of the institution and the guest with the information they provide about the inmate And his social and economic status and criminal history, which helps the institution to determine its needs for social support.
Al Dhaheri pointed to the implementation of programs for the rehabilitation of drug addicts, which include awareness programs.
Medical supplies industry
The Ministry of Interior involved inmates of penal and correctional institutions in the manufacture of medical supplies, as part of plans to integrate them into the local community, and to rehabilitate and develop their capabilities to be productive and fit in the community, which helped manufacture health supplies such as medical masks and protective suits, to support the efforts of the first lines of defense to limit the spread of a virus Corona Novel (Covid-19).
The Deputy Director General of Punitive and Correctional Institutions, Brigadier Hamad Khamis Al Dhaheri, affirmed the ministry’s keenness to enhance the community’s role for inmates, and to provide initiatives that enhance their integration with society and work to enhance their contributions to societal issues. Inmates contributed to the production of approximately 700 medical masks daily, to help reduce the spread of the Corona virus.