Okaz/Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Ministry of Social Affairs has announced that it will not penalize the director of the protection home from where four inmates had escaped recently. Ministry of Social Affairs spokesman Abdullah Al-Tawi said the minister had announced on Sunday that the social worker Nisreen Taha will not be penalized for the two escapes of four inmates from the home and will return to her work as normal. "The Directorate of Social Affairs in Makkah formed an investigation committee to look into the escapes, which happened a few weeks ago. Three inmates of the protection home in Makkah escaped twice. They first escaped and were retrieved by the police, only to escape again," said Al-Tawi. He added the investigation committee looked into the rehabilitation program of the home and its security. "For the inmates to be able to escape twice is not acceptable. The committee has interrogated the inmates who have escaped, their peer inmates and the director and staff of the home. "The burden lied on the director of the home Nisreen Taha. But after thorough investigations and questioning, the committee concluded the director has not committed any negligence and, therefore, will not be penalized for the incidents," said Al-Tawi. He also said the rehabilitation program the inmates went through is of top quality and has had a record of effectiveness. "The security procedures taken were according to the protocol. The leader of the inmates who have escaped has a criminal record of previous and repeat offenses. They included behavioral offenses and other non-violent crimes," said Al-Tawi. Makkah National Society for Human Rights Director Saleh Sarhan said the society often receives complaints from inmates at protection and hospitality homes about the way they are treated. "We take these complaints seriously and run our own investigation to see if there is any violence, abuse or discrimination committed against them. If any of the inmates in question had any complaint to lodge and does not know who to reach out to, they may reach out to the society," said Sarhan.
