Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions at Dubai Police has recently launched “Awdatokm Amana” (your return is a duty) initiative for inmates to facilitate their return and accelerate travel procedures upon completing their sentences.

Brigadier Ali Al Shamali, Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions at Dubai Police, said that the Department, in collaboration with partners and philanthropists, has managed to provide tickets worth Dhs1,479,010 for 1,145 inmates (males and females) during the first half of this year.

"This initiative responds to our interest in reuniting inmates with their families and ensuring their safety, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic" he added.

 Brigadier Ali Al Shamali

Brigadier Al Shamali explained that providing tickets is a part of various annual humanitarian initiatives provided by the Department in the form of financial and in-kind assistance to inmates and their families.

“These initiatives include sponsoring tuition fees, residential charges, medical equipment, and blood money, as well as providing food assistance and distributing Eid clothes and school bags,” he said.

Brigadier Al Shamali praised the fruitful partnerships with charitable organisations and the efforts of philanthropists exerted towards achieving the noble goals set for inmates' rehabilitation process and giving them a second chance to get back on the right path.

He further emphasised that the cooperation of government and private entities is the best way to help those in need and relieve them of burden and enable them to be active individuals in their society.