Abu Dhabi has two main prisons and a juvenile centre at Al Mafraq, holding as many as 32 youths aged 13 to 19.
Al Wathba prison was built in 1983. The men's jail is undergoing expansion which includes a modern educational program. The Labour Market programme, organised in conjunction with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), allows male nationals to achieve accreditation in various fields, to ease their reintegration into society once they finish their sentences. "The programme aims to provide inmates with the opportunities everyone else enjoys," said Mustapha Karkouti, head of corporate affairs at HCT. "If these people are well equipped, trained and informed, it's easier for them to reintegrate into society."
About 30 prisoners have graduated in the last two years, some of whom the prison management says have become "very successful". "We are teaching them responsibility they can take outside when they leave prison," said Col al Zaabi. "Prisoners are often refused by the rest of the community when they return. We want to minimise this and help them socialise." Eighty prisoners are enrolled in the programme, in which electrical, technical, financial and administrative skills are taught. Any UAE-born male prisoner may enrol. The programme is not available to women. Al Wathba jail is considering expanding the programme to expatriate prisoners and a decision is expected in the next few months (April 2012).
The move is the latest measure by the UAE to reintegrate prisoners into society. The country is leading the way among GCC states in adopting a more progressive attitude to the treatment of prisoners and reintegrating them in communities. Khadeja al Otaiba, a social worker at the women's prison, said having inmates mingling together rather than divided on different security levels encouraged them to socialise and discouraged the formation of a negative self-image.
"I talk with [the women] as much as possible," she said. "Most of them come to jail and ask themselves why they [committed] the crime. We try to help them." Prison administrators have been in talks with the independent Khalifa Fund to expand the job opportunities for inmates. The fund was set up to help Emirati nationals begin their own businesses by offering financial resources and advice. No decisions or details have been finalised, but Marwan al Otaiba, the fund's marketing officer, said the programme should be launched in the next two months.
The men's prison has 1,346 inmates. The women's has 225.
New Visiting hours click here
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Al-wathba prison (more information required) See Yvonne Randall Story below.
Al-Wathba Link: (Location Map)
38 inmates from Al Wathba prison undergo rehabilitation training Friday: 05 November 2010
Read More:
KNOWN PRISONERS IN AL-WATHBA (not complete)
|
Name |
Country |
Sentence |
Age |
Building |
Notes
|
Lissy Mathew Orathel |
India |
4 years |
- |
- |
- |
Fawzeya Shamsuddin |
Sri Lanka |
16 years |
- |
- |
- |
Marina |
Uzbekistan |
sentenced to 3 yrs |
- |
- |
- |
Amira Debaja |
Philippines |
8 months |
- |
- |
- |
Nicole |
Sri Lanka |
sentenced 2 yrs |
- |
- |
now released |
Jinky Fingnit |
Phillipines |
6 months |
- |
- |
now released |
Connie |
Phillipines |
sentenced 1 year |
- |
- |
- |
Yolanda |
Phillipines |
sentenced 5 months |
- |
- |
now released |
Gina |
Phillippines |
sentenced 8 mths |
- |
- |
now released |
Romina |
Phillipines |
sentenced 6 months and 80 lashes. |
- |
- |
Now released |
Natasha |
Uzbekistan |
sentenced 6 months and 200 lashes. |
- |
- |
Now released |
JC |
Malaysia |
sentenced 6 months |
- |
- |
now released |
Mei Lan |
China |
sentenced 6 months |
- |
- |
now released |
Yang |
China |
|
- |
- |
now released |
Sui may |
China |
- |
- |
- |
now released |
Rachelle |
Phillipines |
6 months |
- |
- |
now released |
Reem Aza |
Jordan |
sentenced ? long time |
- |
- |
- |
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INFORMATION & LINKS
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Embassy lists: here
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Local Laws - Be Aware click here
Proceedures in Criminal Cases: click here
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Inmate mothers to keep children click here
Britons warned over UAE Arrests Click here
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Lawyer List
Law Firm Name
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Contact Details |
Details
|
Probono Work
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Reed Smith LLP
www.reedsmith.com 1902, Golden Falcon Tower,
Hamdan Street, Abu Dhabi UAE
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Peter Michelmore
Tel: 00 971 2 622 2636
Fax: 00 971 2 622 2625
Email:
P.O. Box 46904, Abu Dhabi
Opening hours:
09:00 – 18:00 Sun. to Thur.
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* Honorary Legal Advisers to Her Majesty’s Ambassador
Specialises in British, Local and International Corporate and Commercial Law
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Denton Wilde Sapte & Co
www.dentonwildesapte.com
Suite 1204, Al Gaith Tower, Hamdan Street. Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Mr Richard T de Belder
Tel: 00 971 2 6266180
Fax: 00 971 2 6266175
e-mail: [email protected]
[email protected]
P. O. Box 47656, Abu Dhabi
Opening hours:
08:30 - 18:00 Sun. to Thur.
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Specialises in British, Local & International Commercial Law
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Simmons & Simmons
www.simmons-simmons.com
ADNIC Building - Khalifa Street 10th floor.Abu Dhabi, UAE
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Tim Field
Tel: 00 971 2 6519200
Fax: 00 971 2 6519201
e-mail:
P.O. Box 5931, Abu Dhabi
Opening hours:
09:00 - 18:00 Sun. to Thur.
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Simmons & Simmons is an international law firm with more than 1500 staff in 18 offices worldwide. Simmons & Simmons’ long established Middle East practice comprises lawyers from our three offices in the region – Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar. The firm provides a comprehensive and integrated service that covers clients' requirements throughout the Middle East and North Africa. The Middle East practice comprises a team of more than 50 specialist lawyers, 8 of whom are Arabic speakers.
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Simmons & Simmons do pro bono work, however this depends on the case.
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Address: |
Corrections & Prisons Administration
Abu Dhabi |
P.O. Box: |
253 |
Phone: |
+971 2 504 7200 |
Fax: |
+971 2 504 7204 |
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