ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department’s (ADJD) Committee for Rehabilitation and Correctional Policies, established under Law No. 4 of 2024 regarding the regulation of rehabilitation and correctional centres in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, convened its inaugural session.

Chaired by Counsellor Youssef Saeed Al Abri, Under-Secretary of the Judicial Department, the Committee deliberated on a range of initiatives concerning penalties, alternatives to imprisonment, and restructuring procedures of rehabilitation and correctional centres linked to judicial processes.

Additionally, it reviewed proposals on optimal practices implemented in rehabilitation and correctional centres at the international level.

Counsellor Al Abri emphasised the Judicial Department’s focus on developing a comprehensive system to oversee rehabilitation and correctional centres adhering to the highest global standards in accordance with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister,
Chairman of the Presidential Court and Chairman of the ADJD, to improve the judicial system and enhance Abu Dhabi’s competitive position.

He highlighted that the Committee’s responsibility is to propose appropriate measures and mechanisms to enhance rehabilitation and correctional centres to achieve the goal of rehabilitating and reintegrating convicts as contributing members of society, in addition to suggesting ways to decrease prison sentences and broaden the use of alternative forms of punishment.

He also mentioned that the Committee works on adopting a plan, policy, and operational guide for rehabilitation and correctional centres, ensuring their alignment with the work plan of courts and prosecution offices in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and suggesting laws aimed at expanding the use of alternative measures to imprisonment for minor crimes, such as requiring convicts to perform community service tasks that achieve the desired goals of rehabilitation and discipline.

Source: Emirates News Agency