First phase of the new jail in Sharjah to open this month

Friday, Jan 15, 2016

Sharjah: The first phase of the new central jail being built at a cost of Dh400 million in Sharjah’s Al Ramtha area is expected to open before the end of January, an official said.

The new jail will be able to house 4,000 inmates when it is complete.

The new Sharjah Punitive and Rehabilitation Centre is coming up in the same place as the old jail, which was designed to house a maximum of 2,000 prisoners. The completion of the first phase of the project is expected to accommodate 1,000 more inmates.

Colonel Khalifa Al Merri, acting director of Sharjah Punitive Establishments Department told Gulf News in an exclusive interview: “We have a five-year plan for a well-equipped central jail. We are working hard to help inmates return to a normal, clean life.”

Col Al Merri added that His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, had ordered the police to expand the old punitive and rehabilitation centre and equip it with facilities that meet international standards.

A source at the company told Gulf News that the jail will be built in two phases — replacement and renovation.

Col Al Merri said the priority was to ensure a healthy environment and have rehabilitation programmes to prevent inmates from returning to a life of crime. “We are keen to provide inmates with care, moral and financial support, and provide them with religious and health education, to prevent them from relapsing into crime. The UAE is also keen to provide inmates with post-release rehabilitation with society and their families by providing them with work opportunities.”

Col Al Merri explained that the administration was setting up plans to allow conjugal visits for married inmates and the project will be implemented soon with the inauguration of the new facility.

“It is important in our culture to preserve family bonds and values. When an inmate is allowed to go home to spend a few hours with his wife and children, imagine how that will help strengthen his ties with his family,” Col Al Merri said.

A tour of the facility

Built 35 years ago, the facility is considered the oldest prison in UAE. Each building includes a canteen, study hall, visitors’ hall, library, general clinic, dental clinic and sports hall. The Department of Infection Prevention will have a branch in the facility.

The new centre will comprise an administrative building, separate buildings for men, women and juveniles, and workshops.

Around 2,000 inmates are incarcerated in the facility including 400 women inmates, most of whom are in a transit status as they are absconding housemaids, Col. Al Merri explained.

Most inmates are incarcerated for drug-related crimes, followed by financial crimes, he said.

“We follow guidelines to ensure that they all receive their full rights in rehabilitation, medical care, nutrition, communicating with their families and their lawyers. They have the complete freedom and support of the facility and are not prevented from any of their rights,” said Col. Al Merri.

“Thirty-five years ago, the correctional philosophy was different and services were limited. Today, we are looking at other countries, at their facilities and their practices in rehabilitating inmates. In a short while, I am confident that we will have the best correctional facilities in the world,” he said.

The only form of segregation in the prison is according to the nature of the crime. “Drug offenders are separated from other prisoners. Those who are in for petty crimes, such as traffic offences or cheques have their own wards. Inmates with mental illness have their own cells,” he said. But he observed that people of the same nationality tend to mix with each other more, a personal preference the authorities have no objection to.

The prison operates like a small town. It has a medical centre, supermarket, etisalat cabin, education centre and a craft workshop.

A TV is installed in each cell and tuned to the channel that relays in the inmate’s mother tongue.

The prison has an ‘open-door policy’ and prisoners are encouraged to discuss any problems they may have with staff. Brigadier Saif Al Ziri, Commander-in-Chief of Sharjah Police, visits the jail regularly and personally follows up inmates’ issues.

Col. Al Merri pointed out that Ministry of Interior has an international memorandum with Pakistan and India to exchange inmates [if any inmate from these countries is convicted here and he wishes to complete his jail term back in his country]. This memorandum applies for certain crimes and certain conditions, he said.

‘Health is a priority

Col.Al Merri said prisoners’ health is a priority. Inmates are assigned a daily activity, depending on the rehabilitation programme they have been assigned to. The rehabilitation can either be occupational or give inmates the opportunity to further their education. They can enrol in either computer classes or religious instruction courses.

They also enjoy breaks wherein they can spend time on the exercise ground, borrow books from the library, participate in sports or other activities.

“We emphasise on the importance of the reform process, by utilising their free time to boost their skills and qualify them for work as active and productive citizens,” said Col. Al Merri.

Col. Al Merri cited the instance of an inmate with excellent skills in craftsmanship who, when he completed his jail term, was invited to coach other inmates three times a week and was paid for his efforts. “We are also looking out for a job for him.”

Inmates can earn a monthly salary of $100 if they take part in craft workshops, including carpentry and sewing.

Items made by prisoners are sold at fairs and festivals, and the money given to prisoners and their families.

Religious programmes

Religious programmes such as memorising the Holy Quran, classes on the Sunnah and hadith, are offered to inmates, as well as classes for those wishing to embrace Islam.

“Inmates from other religions have lectures talking about honesty and cleanliness [for example]. We communicate with the Islamic Affairs and Awqaf Department to provide preachers three times a week to teach inmates the Holy Quran and hadith.”

“We also give money as a reward for those who memorise the Holy Quran.”

Quarantine

Inmates who suffer from dangerous diseases like HIV, scabies, tuberculosis and Hepatitis are quarantined.

If any inmate was treated in hospital before entering the jail, “we cooperate with that hospital to complete the treatment. In case an inmate suffers from cancer, we coordinate with Tawam hospital to treat the inmate and list him/her in the pardon list [to be released when pardon order is issued]. For instance, one inmate needs a retina implant that requires Dh20,000, so we cooperated with a hospital in Dubai, which will make it available from the US when it can,” said Col. Al Merri.

Video conferencing with families

An online video conferencing was launched for inmates and their families across the UAE in December. The system, the first of its kind in UAE and Middle East, allows scheduled 15-minute interactions and saves families the hassle of a physical visit to the centre.

“Detention is a hardship for families and loved ones. [This initiative] is a reward for the inmates,” said Col. Al Merri.

Inmates from Sharjah as well as other emirates can apply for this visitation.

Studio Quran recording for inmates

The first studio for recording the Holy Quran in the inmates’ voice was launched in Sharjah in 2014. Inmates from Sharjah as well as other emirates, who have managed to memorise the Holy Quran can now record their own one in the facility’s studio.

Col. Al Merri said, “We are planning to cooperate with radio and other institutions to broadcast these recitations. It’s an encouragement for inmates.”

From the inmates’ lives: a book

The administration is to produce a book that will include stories of inmates, according to Col. Al Merri. The idea came to light during the fourth GCC unified Inmates Week held last month.

The book, Col Al Merri said, will be themed on, ‘From my story, learn a lesson”. Prisoners, he said, are keen to tell their stories and explain the choices they made that led them to this predicament.

“To recover program” targeting drug addiction

70 inmates benefited from this program that began in December 2015.

Financial support provided by partners to help inmates and their families in 2015

Inmates’ programmes are funded in part through a partnership between Sharjah Police and Sharjah Charity, said Col. Al Merri.

Every year, more than Dh2 million is spent by Sharjah authorities on inmates and their families.

Also, other entities help the inmates.

Sharjah Charity Association (Ayadi - Hand) committee: Dh335,400.

Farj Fund committee: Dh22,796,27

Zakat Fund: Dh54,000

Solve problems committee: Dh2,681,223 and 188 inmates benefitted from this committee

Emirates Red Cresent: Dh137,075

Number of inmates who entered and were released from jail in 2015