Dubai Police’s General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments has been working to transform jails into places where prisoners can prepare themselves for return to society.
According to Brigadier Jameela Al Zaabi, the former director of Dubai Police’s women’s prison, who spoke on the Arab Cast podcast with Ahmed Al Zarouni, correctional places offer a lot of opportunities for those who are willing to improve their future lives.
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The woman stated that people should understand that no program could take away the fact that they are in prison. Nevertheless, it is essential to give prisoners an opportunity to learn and gain at least some skills so that they can return to society as productive members.
Former Teacher Turns Prison Craft Training into a Successful Cake Business
Among the most captivating transformation tales that Brigadier Al Zaabi shared with the media was that of a school teacher who was arrested in Dubai for drug possession. She had been taking care of a friend’s prescription drugs when the police raid occurred.
When she was sentenced to prison, the poor woman could hardly believe that it was all happening because of a few pills. Having lost her job, she had to devote her time to the workshops organized by the prison administration. They offered a wide range of training, including handicrafts, decorative painting, and cooking.
After her release, she decided to open a bakery and sell cakes for a living and eventually became a successful businesswoman with a great number of regular clients.
Paid Financial Incentives and Honest Work Mindset
Vocational workshops inside the prison walls, from tailoring and sewing to intricate handicraft design, are all about teaching the inmates that honest labor brings rewards.
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Inmates are paid directly from the proceeds of the goods produced or services rendered at the prison workshops.
Brigadier Al Zaabi noted that while private companies are contracted to perform general maintenance and heavy cleaning within the prison, the inmates are responsible for cleaning their immediate surroundings, with the main focus being on developing their vocational skills.
Structured Fitness Routines Boost Physical and Mental Well-being
Physical fitness and health management are another important aspect of the rehabilitation concept in Dubai.
Challenges such as the ‘Fit Zone’ fitness activity encourage prisoners to work out and let them go on a diet under the supervision of sports trainers. In addition, they can lose weight due to a special diet and a structured exercise regime.
One of the guards, Brigadier Al Zaabi, told that a former inmate went on a funny diet in prison and worked out so intensely that people outside the prison asked him if they could get rid of excess weight by joining the penitentiary.
Spiritual Guidance, Higher Education, and Financial Relief Programs
Aside from vocational training and sport programs, Dubai’s rehabilitation plans include spiritual and academic strategies for offenders’ improvement.
They can receive higher education, learn a foreign language, or participate in Quran recitation competitions with sentence reduction opportunities provided by the UAE law.
Moreover, there are funds and charities ready to pay off debts or buy tickets for returning home if an offender is forced to return somewhere against his will.
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