The SR10 million Vocational Training Institute for Prisons was opened on Sunday. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, Emir of Makkah Province, inaugurated the institute during his visit to the general prison. Dr. Ali Bin Nasir, secretary general of the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation, said the institute introduces several training programs for inmates to get jobs after completing their terms, Okaz reported. This year's budget allocated SR36 million for the establishment and equipment of six institutes inside the prisons of Madina, Onaiza, Jubail, Qatif, Qourayat and Qunfuda. About SR138 million had been endorsed within four years for vocational institutes in prisons. Director General of Prisons, Major General Ali Bin Hussain Al-Harethi, said his department was keen on serving the interests of disciplined and reformed prisoners. These include the possible adoption of the recent Shoura Council proposal to slash prison sentences and forgive past offenses of prisoners enrolled in in-prison training and vocational programs. All precautions have been made to prevent rainwater from flooding prison buildings in various areas, Al-Harethi said. Moving prison sites from valleys is also under consideration, he added.
