From Punishment to Reform

TDT | Manama

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A shift in how justice is understood—not only as punishment but as a path back into society—defined the tone of Tuesday’s parliament session as MPs examined amendments to the law governing correction and rehabilitation.

MP Zainab Abdulameer said rehabilitation must go beyond training or employment, stressing that true reform requires preparing individuals to return to society in a stable and healthy condition. She warned that without proper treatment, especially in addiction cases, the risk of reoffending remains high.

MP Ahmed Qarata highlighted the legal significance of the amendments, noting the replacement of terminology centred on detention with language focused on rehabilitation and training. He described this as a shift in how justice itself is framed.

MP Mohammed Al Janahi said the changes reflect a move from a traditional punitive model to one focused on empowerment, while MP Mohammed Al Marafi pointed to expanding educational opportunities inside rehabilitation centres, allowing individuals to continue their studies and build new skills.

MP Ahmed Al Salloom added that such changes are not symbolic, they shape how individuals experience the system, reinforcing dignity and the motivation to change.

For many, the issue extends beyond legislation. It raises a fundamental question about what a person carries with them after release, whether they return with the same circumstances, or with the ability to start again.

The discussion also highlighted the role of structured programmes, including psychological support, education and vocational training, as part of a wider system aimed at reducing repeat offences and supporting reintegration.

As the session concluded, the message was clear, that justice is not measured only by the sentence imposed, but by what remains after it ends, and whether it leaves behind a path forward or a cycle that begins again.