An employment program for released prisoners is being impeded by the refusal of private sector employers to hire ex-prisoners. The Director of Correction Facilities in the Kingdom Maj. Gen. Ali Al-Harthi made the revelation at a workshop on reform programs and their role in correcting prisoners' conduct, Al-Iqtisadiah newspaper reported Tuesday. Al-Harthi said: “The program did not achieve the expected results due to obstacles that led to private sector employers refusing to hire released prisoners.” He then called for the implementation of new regulations to ensure the future success of the program. Al-Harthi also revealed that a number of new initiatives are being taken to facilitate the reform and rehabilitation of prisoners. He said the Saudi Industrial Property Authority is to build factories near correction facilities, which will employ prisoners. He also revealed that plans are under way for university classes to be held inside prisons. “King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, has approved the project submitted by the Council of Ministers which gives prisoners the right to enroll in universities by distance learning. The University of Qassim opened a class in Buraida Correction Facility for prisoners who have been accepted by the university in the distance learning program.” He pointed out that King Faisal University is planning to open classes in correction facilities and he urged other universities to follow its example. Dr. Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al-Khudairi, undersecretary of Makkah Emirate, said that prison reform is a very important human rights issue which will help in building righteous people. “Prisoners' issues are very important and we should all work hard and honestly to rectify the conduct of prisoners and turn them into good citizens. We should also take care of their families because the main goal of correction facilities is to correct the behavior and conduct of prisoners,” Dr. Al
