Sharjah Ruler Issues Law on Organizing the Reform Institution

His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has issued a law regulating the Correctional Institution in the Emirate of Sharjah.

The law aims to:

1. Set the general policy of the institution in a manner that ensures security, reform and rehabilitation.

2. Establish principles and rules for the institution based on the principle of social defence, making the enforcement of the penalty a means of protecting society.

3. Provide a safe environment that guarantees the dignity of inmates and the protection of their rights.

4. Reform and rehabilitate those sentenced to custodial penalties socially, psychologically and culturally.

The provisions of the law apply to the Correctional Institution in the Emirate, to any other institutions or centres established to achieve the same objectives, and to the places designated for the enforcement of pre-trial detention orders whenever they are located outside the premises administered by the institution.

Under the law, a local institution concerned with reform and rehabilitation, called the “Correctional Institution”, is established in the Emirate and is affiliated administratively and financially with the General Command of Sharjah Police.

The main headquarters of the institution is in Sharjah city, and by a decision of the Commander-in-Chief, after the approval of the Executive Council, it may establish branches or designate premises in the other cities and areas of the Emirate.

The law stipulates that the institution is divided into:

1. A correctional institution for men.

2. A correctional institution for women.

3. A centre for juveniles sentenced to imprisonment or committal, in which separation between the sexes is observed.

The law includes the legal provisions relating to all aspects of regulating the Correctional Institution, such as the rules for its construction, supervision, administration, database and inspection, the regulation of visits, matters relating to the admission of inmates, their rights, health care, social care, education and awareness, violations and disciplinary sanctions, the release of inmates, the age categories of inmates and the privileges granted to them, and other legal provisions.

Source: Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB)