There was nothing wrong with the services provided to inmates; and the riots were caused by troublemakers at the correctional facility for women. This is the claim made Sunday by Noora Aal Al-Sheikh, the Director of Women's Social Supervision in the Makkah Region. This is in sharp contrast to the complaints from inmates and the report from the Kingdom's National Human Rights Society, which both outlined abuse and poor living conditions. She said that the four government departments will now be involved in a special committee that will investigate the causes of the riot. Aal Al-Sheikh said that the Minister of Social Affairs had delegated her to prepare a report on the home. Aal Al-Sheikh claimed that the woman who allegedly led the rioting at the home on Friday evening had met 48 hours earlier with an inspection team from the ministry, during an ordinary visit to the facility. At that time, she had praised the services provided by the home, claimed Aal Al-Sheikh. Aal Al-Sheikh alleged that the woman had made a sudden about-turn, just two days after meeting with officials. Aal Al-Sheikh claimed this supported the assumption that the riots had been started by certain elements at the facility. Aal Al-Sheikh said that the home's administration had not kept any of the protesting woman in solitary confinement. She also ruled out the recurrence of future riots. Contrary to reports, she said the female director of home had not been stopped from working and nobody had asked for the director's removal, even on a temporary basis. The female director has been accused of mismanagement by the inmates. Aal Al-Sheikh said the minister issued directives Sunday to form the committee which will include the departments for juveniles, social affairs and women's supervision. The committee will also consist of male and female specialists in sociology. Aal Al-Sheikh said the investigation will cover all the parties involved, including the female director and inmates. She said that she would personally refer the report to the minister. The ministry would announce the results to the press at an appropriate time. Aal Al-Sheikh said the team she was working with needs time to complete its task, especially since another higher committee started its work on Sunday. She confirmed the existence of supervisory bodies that inspect the institution from time to time. This includes the Commission for the Supervision of Prisons, the Control and Investigation Bureau and committees from the governorate (Amarah). These bodies monitor the performance of the institution. She said that there were no shortcomings in the services provided to inmates. Aal Al-Sheikh said people should not jump to conclusions because numerous agencies have started investigations. These agencies would reveal the reality, she said.
