Inside a Dubai corrective facility during Ramadan

Dubai - Outdoor activities are limited to two hours per day and work hours are reduced to four.

For Muslim inmates at the Dubai Central Jail, Ramadan days are tougher than any other day of being away from their families. But the Dubai Police make sure that they get to feel the spirit of the holy month - from having special Iftar to playing their favourite sport. 
While non-Muslim inmates have their usual three meals for day, Muslims are served a range of special dishes from different cuisines for Iftar and Suhoor. And all the tasty meals are prepared by an Abu Dhabi-based hotel.
Brigadier-General Ali Mohammed Al Shamali, director-general of penal and correctional institutions at the Dubai Police, said that this Ramadan, inmates' day-to-day living has been focused on religious and social activities. 
Outdoor activities are limited to two hours per day and work hours are reduced to four. After Isha and Taraweeh prayers, the evening events take place. 
Brig-Gen Al Shamali said Ramadan nights are divided into four programmes: religion, occupation, sports and education.
Religious lectures and skills workshops are held every evening, with an aim to help them rebuild their lives once they are released. 
Quran competitions are also held in collaboration with the Dubai International Quran Awards, he added. 
Tournaments have been a hit, too, as sports lovers grab the opportunity to compete and win medals and prizes in different competitions, including chess.
Humanitarian gifts
But on top of lively Ramadan evenings and delicious food, the spirit of the holy month shines the most with the humanitarian aid and financial assistance that are extended to prisoners.
This month, some 520 inmates of the Dubai Central Jail have been pardoned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
And Brig-Gen Al Shamali said the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions is working hard to facilitate the release of other prisoners to allow them to spend Eid Al Fitr with their families. 
"We study the case of each prisoner and we coordinate with the Dubai Public Prosecution to decide who will be released," he said. Blood money has been paid for several inmates, as well as debts of less than Dh100,000. 
"During the year 2018 to 2019, we have extended a remarkable financial assistance worth Dh8 million to release inmates, provide them with tickets, and pay other travel fees to send them home," Brig-Gen Al Shamali said.
He added that charities and benefactors have also been "essential partners" in providing financial aid to inmates and their families. 
"The Dubai Police are determined to support inmates and provide them with all their basic needs, as we believe in the principle of giving them the second chance they deserve. The goal is not only punish them, but also to reform and rehabilitate them so that they may be ready to be part of the society again," Brig-Gen Al Shamali said.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Dubai