Saudi capital launches open prison initiative for inmates

Saudi capital Riyadh has launched an open prison initiative that offers many services for inmates including allowing inmates to take up jobs outside the correction facilities, Al Riyadh local newspaper reported on Sunday.

The initiative aims to improve the rehabilitation services for inmates and ensure their easy integration into society after serving their sentences, Director of Riyadh Correction Facility, Colonel Khalid Al Malki told the newspaper, without highlighting the rules and conditions for allowing prisoners to take up such jobs.

The new project also includes allowing certain inmates to leave in the morning and come to stay at the facility overnight.

These services are for inmates who will end serving their penalties within six months to make them adjust to their new lives outside the prison.

Providing job opportunities for convicts who served their sentences will also be part of the initiative.

The assistant of the Industrial Cities Authority was sought to build factories and other industrial establishments near the prison to hire trained inmates.

The prison also offers up to 48 hours leaves for those who will get married.

He highlighted that the initiative aims to change the misconceptions about prisons and provide better correctives facilities. Endit