General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Interior Minister, received Ali Ahmed Al Derazi, National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR)’s President, and Ghada Hameed Habib, the Ombudswoman and Chairperson of the Prisoners and Detainees Rights Commission (PDRC).
The minister praised the professional and humanitarian performance of the NIHR, the Ombudswoman Office, and the PDRC.
The meeting reviewed the recommendations included in the reports of their recent visits to the Reform and Rehabilitation Centre, which were consistent with the programmes and recommendations of the Director General of Reformation and Rehabilitation.
It discussed health services for inmates provided by the Government Hospitals Administration; amending the visitation system to extend the duration of visits and adjust the terms for the visitor list; in addition to increasing outdoor time.
Regarding telephone call tariffs, coordination is underway with telecom companies to review this matter.
General Shaikh Rashid praised the cooperation between the Interior Ministry and the Education Ministry to provide programmes and educational services to inmates and facilitate the inmates’ completion of their studies in all educational stages.
He highlighted the coordination made with the Higher Education Council (HEC) to register 180 inmates in postgraduate programmes in various majors for this year.
The minister stressed that the success of alternative penalties programme and open prisons has helped to increase the number of inmates benefiting from these programmes in the next stage, in accordance with the recommendations presented by the General Directorate of Reformation and Rehabilitation.
The development of humanitarian programmes and initiatives came within the framework of the comprehensive development process led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who established human rights institutions and supported the expansion of their role to further develop the status of human rights in Bahrain, the minister said.
General Shaikh Rashid highlighted the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister, the Reformation and Rehabilitation Directorate obtained an international accreditation from the American Correctional Association (ACA), demonstrating the commitment to achieving international quality standards.
He noted that the Interior Ministry is keen on supporting the ongoing cooperation with human rights institutions and implement humanitarian initiatives related to reform and rehabilitation centres that contribute to inmates’ reintegration into society.
Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Interior Ministry Undersecretary and Director-General of Reformation and Rehabilitation attended the meeting.
Source: Bahrain News Agency