Bahrain’s open prison and rehabilitation center a ‘model’ worth emulating
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Reported by Ashen Tharaka
The International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) President Chris Field has praised Bahrain’s open prison and rehabilitation centre in Hamala, calling it a “model that can be used in other countries."
In an interview with The Daily Tribune, Chris said, “This is an exceptional facility. I have seen prisons all around the world, and I have never seen a prison—an open prison—as incredibly impressive as this one. You are creating an environment where people, the detainees, can learn new skills and take those skills into employment and back into their culture and their Bahraini community."
Chris made this statement while visiting the open prison and rehabilitation centre in Hamala with high-level representatives from Italy, Belarus, Pakistan, and a few other countries as part of the General Secretariat of Grievances conference held in Manama.
During the visit, Captain Jassim Jabr Al-Dosari, Director of the Alternative Punishments Department, gave a briefing on the efforts of the General Administration for the Implementation of Alternative Sentences and Punishments in expanding the application of the Penal Code and Alternative Measures and implementing the Open Prisons Programme, in addition to reviewing the rehabilitation and training programmes provided to the programme’s beneficiaries.
Highlighting the efforts of the Bahraini leadership and Ministry of the Interior, Ombudsman officers said that this initiative reflects Bahrain’s commitment to human rights protection. Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, the Secretary General of the OIC Ombudsman Association, also urged the member countries of the OIC Ombudsman Association to follow Bahrain’s example and introduce similar programmes in their own countries.
He said, “The prisoners, after completing their prison time, can benefit society and lead their future lives in the best way.” Almas Ali Jovindah, an advisor on overseas Pakistani grievances, also praised human rights protection, saying, “If they are in prison, that doesn’t mean they’ve been discarded. Looking after them reflects their vision, which is to make them come back to society as perfect human beings capable of a lot of skill and ability. The way they’ve been rehabilitated is just amazing."
Open prison and rehabilitation centre
The centre is designed to help offenders transition back into society. Before sending the names of offenders to the judge for approval, the centre will conduct a first-level assessment. This assessment will include a review of the offender’s criminal history, education, work and social services, family and social support, mental and psychological health, and substance use disorder.
The centre’s programme consists of three stages: assessment, rehabilitation, and integration. In the assessment stage, offenders will be moved to a separate building inside the closed rehabilitation facility. In that building, they will receive lectures and participate in activities to enhance their skills and knowledge.
In the rehabilitation stage, offenders will be moved to a building that is used as a commercial section, where they will participate in a variety of activities, including educational programmes, psychological and health care, family and social relationship support, and religious education. In the integration stage, offenders will have more time to spend with their own families. During this stage, the centre will continue to support them with their education, job search, and reintegration into society.
Permanent jobs
The centre’s first batch of 12 graduates found permanent jobs a couple of weeks ago, and the centre is working continuously with private and public companies to improve their lives under its supervision. As part of this initiative, one of the offenders is ready to publish a book that they wrote inside the open prison and rehabilitation centre very soon.
The open prison and rehabilitation centre is a valuable addition to Bahrain’s criminal justice system. It provides offenders with the support they need to transition back into society and live crime-free lives.
Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah
Almas Ali Jovindah
Related Posts