Abu Dhabi prisons placed under new management

Control of correctional services to be transferred from police to judicial department

The new law issued by President Sheikh Mohamed will come into effect on January 1, 2024. Silvia Razgova / The National

Abu Dhabi's prisons will be placed under new management from next year.

Control of correctional and juvenile facilities will be transferred from Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters to Abu Dhabi Judicial Department.

President Sheikh Mohamed, as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, has issued a law paving the way for the change to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Rehabilitation of prisoners is a key element of correctional strategies, officials say.

There are several programmes for UAE citizen inmates that offer employment opportunities for them when they complete their sentences.

Earlier this year cooking classes were launched in Dubai Central Jail as part of a rehabilitation initiative to equip prisoners with the skills to reintegrate into society after their release.

More than 30 prisoners have joined the cooking workshops, which are led by professional chefs.

The initiative – called Culinary Arts – was launched by the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments, with the Emirates Literature Foundation and Abu Dhabi National Hotels.