HE Interior Minister attends the graduation of three batches of open prisons programme

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

His Excellency General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Interior, attended a significant graduation ceremony on Sunday, marking the successful completion of the second, third, and fourth batches of participants in the open prisons programme. The event, hosted by the General Directorate of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing, also featured the launch of the Directorate’s new electronic system and the honoring of distinguished beneficiaries and partners.

The ceremony was attended by key figures including the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Minister of Housing, the Minister of Information, the Deputy Interior Minister, the Chief of Public Security, as well as ambassadors from brotherly and friendly nations.

In his address, HE the Interior Minister highlighted the importance of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision in shaping the alternative sentencing projects since the law’s inception in 2018. He stated that the directives of HM the King to expand the application of the law serve as a foundation and support for the continuation of the project, which aims to achieve critical humanitarian and societal goals.

General Shaikh Rashid emphasized that Bahrain’s alternative sentencing programme and open prisons initiative reflect the nation’s commitment to modern human rights practices. He praised the government's ongoing support, particularly from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, for the success of the national rehabilitation efforts.

Director-General of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing, Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa, also expressed gratitude to His Majesty the King for his continuous support for the project. He highlighted the programme's success, with a rehabilitation and reintegration rate of 97.5%, and over 7,600 families benefiting from the programme.

“The success of the open prisons programme is a testament to Bahrain’s commitment to human rights and its ability to balance justice with rehabilitation,” said Shaikh Khalid. He also highlighted the Kingdom’s notable international recognition, including being the first nation outside the United States to receive the American Correctional Association’s international accreditation for community housing for the Open Prisons Programme.

Additionally, Shaikh Khalid announced the launch of the electronic system, aimed at facilitating the interaction of beneficiaries with the Directorate, providing easy access to information and services. He also discussed the ongoing collaboration with educational institutions, such as Gulf University and Applied Science University, to offer full and partial scholarships to the beneficiaries.

The graduation ceremony coincided with International Human Rights Day, reaffirming Bahrain’s dedication to protecting human rights. The event concluded with a short film showcasing the alternative penalties project and the open prison programme, followed by the presentation of awards to supporters, partners, and distinguished beneficiaries.

As part of the ceremony, the Minister also toured an exhibition showcasing the innovative projects developed by the beneficiaries, including wind turbines powered by car traffic, recycling machines for agricultural waste, and a fibreglass alternative to wood for building contractors.