GCC Unified Inmates’ Week to be launched on Sunday

Abu Dhabi: The GCC Unified Inmates’ Week will be celebrated from December 9-12 under the motto ‘My Family is in Your Hands’ to raise public awareness on the importance of integrating released inmates and their families into society.

During the week, the spotlight will be on the challenges faced by families whose breadwinner is in a correctional facility while financial aid will be provided by the Punitive and Penal Institutions Department at the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters to needy families.

Educational competitions and entertainment will take place at the Al Wathba Punitive and Correctional Institution on Sunday.

“This initiative will target Emirati and GCC inmates across the Gulf whose families will be given this financial support to maintain a stable life to prevent crime from recurring within their home. A Relief Fund has been set up by charity and specialised organisations to ensure a comfortable life for families, to pay off inmates’ debts and to pay blood money,” said Major General Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Board of the Relief Fund.

Fees pertaining to education and medical bills may be only some of the aspects covered by the Fund.

Inmates are also educated in two-year programmes at the Higher Colleges of Technology at their request. “There are currently 350 members enrolled in these programmes and we have had 70 graduates since the initiative started in 2007 which means that we have roughly 15 graduates per batch,” said Colonel Mattar Mohammad Saif Al Za’abi, Director of Abu Dhabi Police Punitive and Correctional Institutions.

Brigadier Hamad Adeel Al Shamsi, Director General of Correctional and Punitive Establishments said: “The whole family does not have to suffer because its provider is unavailable to them. On the contrary, we aim to help inmates see their family often and interact with them.”

In light of the 41st National Day, President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of 1,097 inmates as the government utilised Dh1.49 billion to pay off debts.

“Inmates’ cases are studied well to evaluate who is eligible for release based on good behaviour and the nature of the crime,” Al Shamsi said.