About 400 Indians are languishing in Dubai Central Jail. Fifty of them are serving long-term sentences, said a senior official from the Indian Consulate in Dubai.
Speaking to Gulf News, Yash Sinha, the consul-general of India, said mercy petitions had already been submitted to the local authorities in some cases.
Sinha had a face-to-face interaction with all the prisoners.
"Saturdays are reserved for jail visits in all the emirates. Consulate officials visit some of the prisons in the emirate more frequently," he said.
Indians serving short-term sentences and nearing the completion of their jail terms are moved to the out-jail from where they are deported, said Sinha.
"During my interaction with them they made small requests for prepaid cards. Those serving long-terms were making enquiries about the possibilities of getting out.
"In this particular matter the consulate deals on a case-by-case basis. In many cases we have submitted mercy petitions.
"The jail authorities keep in touch with us. Prisoners who do not have their travel documents in place are issued outpasses. We also arrange tickets in many cases, a bulk of which are taken care of by the Indian Community Welfare Committee.
"In a few cases, the prisoners themselves make arrangements for their tickets," Sinha said.
Brigadier Khamis Saeed Khamis Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director General of Prisons, took Sinha around the jail.
"I was quite impressed with the scope given to inmates in showcasing and enhancing their skills in woodwork.
"I also made a visit to the women's prison where cases of seven Indian women serving jail terms were discussed with Major Fouzeya Mahmoud Al Mulla, Director of Prison," he said.
"I also met these women personally."
