Residents call for Detention Centre shift

Manama : Residents of Hidd, the closest residential area to the Dry Dock Detention Centre, which witnessed several escapes of inmates in the past few years, demanded to relocate the centre. 

Following the dramatic escape of 17 prisoners on Friday night, the area’s parliamentary representative Abdulrahman Buali told DT News yesterday that a few residents of Hidd had requested him to present a letter to the concerned authorities, demanding that the Centre should be shifted to a different area.

Commenting on the incident, Buali said, “The repetition of such occurrences at the same site and in a short period of time is a dangerous development.” “We rarely hear of similar incidents taking place at the Reformation and Rehabilitation Centre in Jaw or in any of the neighbouring countries.”

“It has become a routine to hear about inmates escaping the Dry Dock Detention Centre. People are worried and demanding the removal of the facility from this area,” he said.

Buali called for stepping up security measures that are used in the Centre. The MP, who lives in the opposite area of the prison, called upon the concerned authorities to secure the facility with more advanced technologies. 

“The recurrence of escapes from the Centre requires us to look into the matter. There are theories suggesting that there is some sort of collusion going on inside the facility. We shouldn’t be doubtful about this serious matter,” added the lawmaker, who also heads the Council’s Economic and Financial Affairs Committee.