New reforms have been announced that will ensure the dignity and human rights of prisoners. The reforms ordered by Crown Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, are to rehabilitate prisoners so that they will be of benefit to society upon their release. The Director-General of Prisons, Maj. Gen. Dr. Ali Bin Hussain Al-Harthy, said that the directives stressed that the Kingdom's prisons should be the best in the world in terms of reforming prisoners. He also announced the construction of 13 new correctional facilities throughout the Kingdom over the next two years. Older facilities will be renovated to serve as temporary detention centers. Al-Harthy said that these new facilities will provide prisoners with educational and social programs to develop their skills. The reforms come after King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, granted the early release of 16,000 prisoners throughout the Kingdom. The King pardoned these prisoners after recovering from a recent illness. __
