Khaleej Times:Bahrain set to give prisoners more freedom

Bahrain set to give prisoners more freedom
By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)

28 November 2007

MANAMA — Bahrain government has referred to the parliament a new draft law regulating the stay of inmates in detention centres.

The bill will give inmates more freedom and better facilities, like the right to worship according to their faiths and provide them with better reformation activities.

The bill expected to be deliberated soon by the legislative authority comes to replace the prison law ratified in 1964.

Bahrain set to give prisoners more freedom
By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)

28 November 2007

MANAMA — Bahrain government has referred to the parliament a new draft law regulating the stay of inmates in detention centres.

The bill will give inmates more freedom and better facilities, like the right to worship according to their faiths and provide them with better reformation activities.

The bill expected to be deliberated soon by the legislative authority comes to replace the prison law ratified in 1964.

The bill bans the prison administration from imposing any disciplinary action against inmates before complete written interrogations and a chance to defend themselves. Also, the punishments shouldn’t exceed warning, deprivation of one or more entertainment activities or ban from sports or open air period for no more than seven days.

The punishments could also include stopping phone calls or financial assistance for no more than 10 days.

To eliminate bad treatments, inmates have the right to challenge the punishments by seeking legal or court assistances.