Dubai: Dubai Central Jail is an unlikely venue for celebrations. And yet there was no mistaking the festive cheer as hundreds of convicts marked Eid Al Fitr here on Tuesday.
As religious fervour and a joyous spirit gripped the country, the inmates at the prison compound too enthusiastically exchanged greetings. "The atmosphere in the prison changes dramatically during Eid. A sense of community feeling prevails among the inmates," said Lt Col Abdul Hakim Ahmad Al Aji, Managing Director of Dubai Central Jail.
"They offer Eid prayers and then listen to khutbat al Eid by an Imam. Later they enjoy special food prepared by the prison management. If they have visitations scheduled, they spend time with family and friends," Lt Col Al Aji said.
Visiting hours are spread throughout the day - usually, mornings are for male prisoners and evenings for females.
Visitation privileges depend on the severity of the charges and sentences. If the sentence is minor (cheque fraud for instance), then prisoners can meet their family in a room. If the sentence is major, then a glass partition separates them. According to Lt Col Al Aji, visitations double during Eid.
"A prison is a prison, no matter what. Nevertheless, we try to ease some pressures as many prisoners have had an unfortunate life," he said, adding that though the prison is a high security compound, it puts both visitors and prisoners at ease. It has a library, supermarket, medical centre, craft workshop and its own television station.
Recreational options
Green spaces surround the compound to allow prisoners to take a walk in fresh air or participate in outdoor sports. Inside the prison, there are other recreational options, including televisions in designated wards, daily newspapers and even telephones. Of course, for security issues, CCTV cameras have been put up in every corner.
On one end is Lt Col Al Aji's office with a view of the prison wings -- comprising around 10 rooms of five square metres each.
"During Eid, people want to visit their loved ones in prison and spend time with them… Many families gift photographs to the prisoners. Most visitors prefer the first day of Eid and hence the prison gets very crowded. The crowd subsides in the next few days," he explained.
But it's not just Eid that marks a change within Dubai Central Jail's compound. There was a visible transformation among prisoners during Ramadan too. "The prisoner's state of mind during Ramadan is calm, serene and spiritual," said Lt Col Al Aji.
Prisoners sat together for iftar every day. He said two British men, both Christians, who were imprisoned for cheque fraud, even converted to Islam. "They weren't related. But to us, they were brothers. They were very touched by the Ramadan iftars - there was a community feeling among prisoners," he said.
The prison management also offered interesting activities to commemorate the spirit of Ramadan. There was a Quran competition, Islamic lectures, evening football and basketball competitions, as well as a drawing competition. Winners received monetary rewards -- from Dh400 to Dh4,000.
"People should stay away from writing cheques that they cannot honour," Lt Col Al Aji said. The majority of prisoners in Dubai Central Jail are those involved in cheque fraud cases, he said.
"Fraudulent signing of cheques is a crime in the UAE, which is punishable by law. Unlike other countries, signing false cheques call for criminal and civil actions against the perpetrators and it's a shame to be in jail," he warned.
