A tour of Dubai Central Prison

The mere mention of the word prison can conjure up images of a depressing place, full of harsh treatment and endless frustration.

It seems the reality, however, is more akin to rehabilitation, even though prison life is designed to be a punishment.

Inmates at Dubai Central Prison mostly say they are treated well, Gulf News discovered during a tour of the correctional facility.

The tour was organised by Dubai Central Prison's senior administration and the public relations department of Dubai Police. Gulf News reporters were shown around the prison and allowed to speak to inmates.

Senior staff also demonstrated some of the rehabilitation work and educational activities offered to inmates to help their return to society.

Mohammad, a 29-year-old Pakistani, who received a ten-year jail term for robbery, has completed three and a half years of his sentence. He now works in the prison library and also on a correspondence business course. Mohammad says he has no problems with the punishment he was given for his crime.

"For the past two years, since the prison's administration was revamped, we've been able to request any books we like. There's food, rehabilitation and work."

Mohammad, determined to gain the right skills to go back to work once he is released, says he is not wasting his time in prison.

"The administration here has provided us with every opportunity to continue our education, I think we are treated very well. The only problem is the wall, separating us from the outside. But I'm happy here and I enjoy regular visits from my family."

The prison librarian says Dubai Municipality hands out more than 100 books a month. The library contains more than 2,000 different religious, educational and cultural books in Arabic and English.

Salah Sankour was convicted for a series of robberies and sentenced to ten years. "I have spent two years here. I thank God for my situation now. I was at fault in the past few years. I didn't know why, so I decided to research crime and its cause. I plan to educate myself. I don't want to be a criminal any more," he says.

Another prisoner, B., sits in a wheelchair at one of the main walkways. He broke his back jumping over a wall in an escape attempt while at Al Qusais police station. He had been picked up for drug dealing. He was convicted and sentenced to 20 years.

His family does not know he is in prison or that he is now permanently disabled.

"It's my fault why should they suffer? I'm the one who broke the law. My family is abroad. I have told them that my passport is being held and I can't go back right now," he says.

The prison administration has treated him kindly, he says. "The prison has sent me to specialists several times for physiotherapy. Doctors have tried to do what they can but I think it's too late."

Abdul Samad Siyam sits listening to Tamil tapes in the listening room. He told Gulf News he is treated well except for a pain in his wrist that he says is not being taken seriously by the prison doctor. "The doctor will not give me any medicine for my hand and I have written about it twice now." As he speaks, Siyam tries to demonstrate he is unable to move his wrist properly.

The prison management says all health complaints are handled by specialists.

Another inmate, T.D., from Eastern Europe, was given six years for coordinating credit card theft. He sits in a drawing room, sketching designs. When asked about treatment in prison, he says: "The world outside is very busy, you have time here, we are treated well."

Inmates wear long white shirts with loose pants. A band of blue, red or yellow runs across their shirts. A prison officer explains that blue is for short sentences three to five years, red for seven plus and yellow for drug offences.

Most inmates wear shirts with yellow bands. Sunlight permeates the corridors, painted light green and guards walk unarmed.

Inmates crowd into one section to top up their electronic cards used to purchase stuff from the cafeteria and a special supermarket. Meals are provided free but other items are bought.

Brigadier Mohammad Humaid Al Suwaidi, head of Dubai's correctional facilities, tells Gulf News inmates who cannot access money are given Dh25 each month for items they need. Prisoners' credit is increased when parents or relatives send money or when they are paid from external sources.

A workshop is filled with the sound of electric saws and the smell of sawdust. Another room hosts lectures on Islam, in the television room a man is reading the Holy Quran.

Brigadier Al Suwaidi says there are about 950 to 1,000 prisoners serving long-term jail sentences.

"If any inmate behaves well, he can get an early release after serving three-quarters of his term. However, this has to be arranged through a judge's order."

Abdul Rahman, convicted of trafficking and taking drugs, who has served three of his ten-year sentence, says: "I have learnt carpentry in jail. After my release, I hope to find a decent job."

He says that two years ago, a few prisoners had access to drugs inside their cells. After the administration was changed, there were no more drugs in the prison. "It has become a clean place. We have many privileges and we are being treated fairly and humanely."