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Back to school in lock-up

Saleh Khamis Al Junaibi was often wracked by doubts and fear when he sat forlorn in a prison cell. Would society accept him after his release from jail? Could he regain lost trust? What about the years of his life lost to crime? Those thoughts were soon banished, thanks to what he learnt during his jail term.

So, after two years of confinement and intense educational intervention, Al Junaibi walked out of prison in 2009 with his head held high to join as manager of a service station in the capital.

Replacing the baton with textbooks and demolishing cells to construct a smart board and wifi enabled classroom has given a new lease of life to more than 25 inmates at the Al Wathba prison in Abu Dhabi. Twelve will be graduating this year.

Barring a handful that regress, all those enrolled in the Work Readiness Certificate programme started by the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) in 2007, within the jail premises, are seamlessly integrated into society with respectable jobs.

“Before I felt like I was nothing,” says Al Junaibi, who was part of the first batch to pass out of the programme.

“But now I am a different person.”

“The education offered to me during my sentence has allowed me to start afresh, erasing my past mistakes.”

UAE nationals are awarded a certificate degree on completion of a four semester course. Five major subjects – English, Arabic, Computer skills, Mathematics and work readiness are core to the programme. Students have to achieve 60 per cent of the aggregate in all subjects for a certificate from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and work placement.

Farid Elyahky, Associate Dean of the programme calls it a ‘lifeline’ for those who are convicted for crimes that do not warrant life imprisonment or a death sentence.

“When they come here they seem to have lost all hope and have a lot of pent up anger,” says Elyahky.

“But within the first few weeks of the programme, the change is remarkable.’’

“They have this enthusiasm and commitment which is a positive step towards their rehabilitation.”

The Work Readiness Certificate programme is the same one developed as part of an initiative by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs to provide a springboard to UAE nationals who lack educational qualifications or skills for employment. It is modeled on work readiness courses offered in Canada, Australia and UK.

“Classes are conducted for five days in the week and students need to put in at least 25 study hours,” he says.

Students are given laptops that aid in research and communication. A computer lab and library opens a world of knowledge and group competitions and activities imbibe social values.

Ways to reduce errant behaviour and raise self-worth and confidence are explored through regular self-restraint workshops and psychological and anger management classes.

The atmosphere is so welcoming that Elyahky said he has seen ‘inmates express sadness’ during the summer break. And during independent study days, any fearful emotions associated with prison dissipate at the sight of the buzz in the library.

Many inmates do not have basic grade school education and thus criminal rehabilitation works as a deterrent, empowers them and also reduces discrimination and stigma against them in society.

Mohammed Jasim and Abdulla Al Mansouri are current students of the programme and are set to take on new roles, this June.

The rehabilitation has enabled them to move on. “ It has changed my perspective to life and I know I will never repeat my mistakes,” says Al Mansouri.

Various government and non government organisations have partnered with HCT to provide placement to students who can earn anywhere between Dh9,000 to Dhs22,000 a month on the job.

“Once they graduate from here, they are normal citizens,” says Elyahky.

Sometimes companies require police records, so all inmates receive a letter of good behaviour that is issued by the Ministry of Interior.

Jasim who will be joining the Emirates Identity Authority says societal acceptance does not come easy. “But I have proved myself through this programme and am looking forward to a job that will help me support my family as well.”

Ambitious jailbirds go on to enroll in other higher education programmes on their release informed Elyahky.

“I want to study further but right now want to focus on being good at my work,” Jasim, adds.

Rehabilitation initiatives are also being undertaken at the Dubai and Sharjah Central Jails in the country. The prison in Al Aweer trains prisoners in short computer courses that are certified by the Dubai eGovernment.

The Central Jail in Sharjah has collaborated with HCT to set up computer labs in the male and female premises. IT students of the college in Sharjah have refurbished 40 computers and equipped them with the latest software to be installed in the prison. Samer Aoudi, Lead Faculty of the IT department said, that one computer lab was delivered last month and the next one will be up in a weeks time. “We have also proposed training programmes for the inmates that will be conducted by our students,” he said. “This way our students will truly understand the circumstances and situation of these inmates and get a chance to serve the society. At the same time it will aid the inmates progress as well.”

· afshan@khaleejtimes.com