Revealed: Life of children born to women in UAE jails

Equipped with cribs, breastfeeding chairs, colourful curtains and blankets, a play area, and many toys, the room appears to be like any other crèche.
But, this is one of the nursery rooms you can see in the Punitive and Correctional Establishments in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman where hundreds of women - with their children - are undergoing different jail terms for various crimes. These rooms are for children who have been born to women behind bars.
Currently, dozens of children are living in the prisons of the Dubai Police because their mothers have committed crimes. Statistics from July 2016 ­- the latest - show that 45 children are living with their mothers at the punitive and correctional establishments of the Dubai Police.
Better care changes the lives of inmate mums, their children
Police officials say that they are trying their maximum to provide children and mothers with the best care available. The establishment has constructed a nursery for children of the inmates according to the international standards.
Brigadier-General Ali Al Shamali, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments of the Dubai Police, said that police officials and management in the Dubai women's prison are giving special care to children born to women inmates.
"A nursery has been established, which helps children integrate into other kindergartens when they come out of the prison," he said. The nursery has been designed to provide the children with an ideal and healthy environment.
He explained that the children will have the opportunity to be close to their mothers round the clock in a private dormitory or will have set time for breastfeeding. The nursery also provides private play areas that are exposed to the sun as well as a small medical centre to take care of children.
"Children also learn through playing. So we have tried to provide the best suited air for them for their physical growth, in addition to keeping an eye on their psychological health and upbringing them up without prejudices of the prison," he explained. He also said that women attend courses, workshops and educational programmes to receive guidance on various issues.
He added that officials make it easier for families to visit women inmates and their children to bring them happiness.
Brigadier-General Ali Al Shamali also praised humanitarian initiatives of charities, community members and businesses for their efforts to make this possible.
"The Dubai Police's human rights team is exerting efforts to help inmates and their families so that their suffering can be alleviated and they can achieve social inclusion," he said, stressing that the Dubai Police operate out of humanitarian objectives so as to contribute to the reunion of families and to ease the plight of inmates.
The jails in Ajman and Sharjah are also providing facilities where children are being raised in a decent as well as a loving and caring environment. The children are provided with all kind of care that they could get at a loving home environment.
Officials said that mothers are allowed to spend time with their children daily so that they can be attached and feel the much-needed maternal love during infancy and childhood.
The two establishments in Ajman and Sharjah have initiated nurseries which are equipped with cribs, breastfeeding chairs and other items for children.
Baby food and milk formula are also being supplied to children where well-trained care-givers are assigned to provide all the needed support to children and their mothers.
In Sharjah, the Reformatory and Punitive Establishment (SRPE) initiated Dar Al Man nursery in coordination with the Department of Social Services Sharjah (DSSS) in 2008 to provide care services for children between two and five years.
Mariam Ismail, Director of Dar Al Man, told Khaleej Times that currently there are 20 children of women inmates in the nursery. "However, we also have abandoned babies who were found in various parts of the emirate, as well as many other homeless children.
"The children of inmates will be handed over to their mothers when the latter complete their jail term."
In Ajman, the nursery is managed by the Ajman Police which provide all necessary services and care.
An official with the Ajman Police said that the inmate mothers have never been separated from their children. The children in the nurseries vary from infants to those aged seven years.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
 Preparing them for a normal life
The nursery for inmates' children at the women's prison in Dubai is built on an area of 658 square metres and includes eight rooms, each with a capacity of seven beds. Next to each bed, a baby cradle has been placed. Indoor games are provided for children as well as they are encouraged to exercise daily. A small clinic, a dining hall and hall for activities and events, an educational room and area for reception and surveillance are also part of the nursery.
"The officials at the centre are developing methodologies and mechanisms to provide all the basic needs for the children as per international standards as the aim of Punitive and Correctional Establishment is not just to punish the inmates, but also to rehabilitate them. This makes sure that they will return to the community as good people, said Brigadier-General Ali Al Shamali, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments of the Dubai Police.
"We teach them specialised programmes in order to improve their life. Thus we contribute to training them in certain professions and support them when they leave here. It will help them lead their lives in a good way," he said.
The specialised courses, training and educational programmes provided to women inmates include handicraft works, fashion designing, home decoration, sewing, embroidery, art work, work on gifts and antiques, household accessories as well as games, sculpturing and painting.
He also said that the police were providing humanitarian support for children of inmates during religious and social events. Special events are organised on Eid days as well as other occasions for mothers and children to bring joy to their hearts.
The Dubai Police and concerned departments continuously review the needs of children and their mothers regarding education, social programmes, and other activities so that both the children and mothers live happily.
amira@khaleejtimes.com

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