Oman jail reform in full swing

The government has intensified its efforts to transform its jails into rehabilitation centres for prisoners by encouraging them to learn handcraft and acquire various skills that help them play a key role in the community.

"Jails are for rehabilitation and reform not for punishment, and imprisonment does not only give one the opportunity to mend his ways of life, but it also serve in giving a new lease of life," read a booklet released by Royal Oman Police (ROP) to highlight a handicraft exhibition featuring the works of inmates of the Central Prison, both male and female.

Organised by the ROP's Directorate General of Prisons, the four-day exhibition has been held at the Al Harthy Complex here. It was opened by Mohammed bin Hamdan Al Toobi, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Education. A number of senior officials, lawyers, experts and social activists were present at the function.

Authorities at the Central Prison have accelerated the process of imparting special vocational training to inmates and extending recreational facilities in the wake of judicial and social reforms now in full swing.

The new Judicial Authority Law has led to the creation of courts in almost all major towns outside Muscat in addition to a Supreme Court in order to make justice as accessible as possible.

The new legislation dervies its strength from the basic law, which lays increasing emphasis on human dignity. A new Labour Law is also in the offing.

"Even a hardened criminal can be corrected, if we know the trick," says Dr Bashir Mohammed, a senior consultant, who believes in constant preaching and counselling. "No one was born criminal. It's the environment that matters."

Dr Bashir, an Omani of Indian origin, who is equally involved in social work, told Gulf News after visiting the exhibition that the works depicted the latent talent of persons which could not be exploited when they were free for one reason or the other. "To weed out crime, we will have to create a just and judicious society."

Dr Rida Mirza, a Canada-based psychiatrist, who is here on a short visit for a family reunion, said there is nothing like encouraging a person to develop good habits rather than discouraging him.

"Punishment gives the inmate further excuses to feel angry and justified in retaliating against the society.''