Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, today attended a ceremony held by the General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing.
The event was held to mark the graduation of the first batch of the open prisons programme beneficiaries. The programme represents the fundamental humanitarian values and principles of the comprehensive development process, led by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. The ceremony also honoured winners of projects, success partners and supporters of government bodies, companies and national organisations.
The Interior Minister asserted that the open prisons programme represents a success story that reflects the development of enforcing the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law within the enhancement approach of humanitarian programmes and initiatives of the values and principles of HM the King's comprehensive development process. He hailed the ongoing support provided by the government, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to carry out reform projects.
He thanked government bodies, national organisations, and companies for supporting rehabilitation and training programmes for the open prisons programme beneficiaries. He hailed the dedication, sincerity and professionalism of the General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing and the programme organisers through developing rehabilitation programmes and reinforcing cooperation with community organisations. He also thanked the beneficiaries' commitment, discipline and seriousness during the programme, contributing to their active integration into society.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing, Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa, asserted that the graduation ceremony of the first batch of the open prisons programme beneficiaries reflects the humanitarian values and principles of the royal comprehensive development process, which is a political, reform and civilised approach, resulting from the royal visions based on the past lessons, the present development and fully integrated future.
While addressing the graduation ceremony, he asserted that since the promulgation of the Alternative Sanctions and Measures Law, as per the directives of HM the King and follow-up of HRH Crown Prince and Prime Minister, this civilised and humanitarian project has become a bright side of the human rights in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He said that during the last five years, the instructions of the Interior Minister were a guideline in all operations and implementation procedures.
The open prisons programme has become one of the alternative sanctions phases and remarkable steps in the reform system, he said, noting that it is a source of pride to Bahrain and the human rights system. He added that the programme, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, is an innovative experience that works to rehabilitate and train middle and high-risk beneficiaries through the highest international standards to reintegrate into society. This makes Bahrain a role model for human rights, and its efforts were appreciated in the periodic human rights report of the United Kingdom.
The Director-General highlighted a part of the success story, noting that on 21 August 2022, the first phase of the first batch reached 48 candidates, as 96% of them succeeded in reaching the second phase that started on 2 April 2023. During the implementation of the phase, 13 beneficiaries got permanent jobs in partnership with the private sector. The success of the first batch paved the way for the second batch of 57 candidates.
The programme's primary goal is to rehabilitate the beneficiaries to bring them back to ordinary life after they are trained and placed on the right track. Committing wrong deeds isn’t the end of the world but an opportunity to learn from and correct mistakes, he noted.
He said that the open prisons programme could be summarised in three words: "Mistake, Reform, Success", which they are the slogan of the programme that represents reform and tolerance for success.
He highlighted that the success achieved reflects the support provided to the open prisons programme by the Interior Minister.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries expressed their sincere thanks and gratitude to HM King Hamad and HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. They also appreciated the support of the Interior Minister and Director-General of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing.
One of the beneficiaries delivered a statement on behalf of the graduates. He vowed to contribute to the development of the nation in all fields after getting the chance to go back on the right track.
The ceremony featured a short film about the alternative sanctions project and the open prisons programme. After that, The Interior Minister honoured the supporters, partners, distinguished beneficiaries, and those who provided winning projects. He toured an exhibition that showcased the beneficiaries' projects that were designed at the workshops of the Open Prisons Complex.
Source: Bahrain News Agency