A group of judicial and executive representatives of judicial rulings discussed with some officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, as well as a number of academics, the mechanism of introducing correctional alternatives to freedom confining penalties. The discussion took place during the 27-hour work sessions, over the course of four days, which were carried out by the Deanship of Scientific Research at Umm Al-Qura University in cooperation with the Social Committee at the Council of the Emirate of Makkah Region.

Participants in the sessions included: the Emirate of Makkah Region, the Ministry of Justice, the General Directorate of Prisons, the Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development, the Criminal Court in Makkah, as well as members of the Makkah Region Council and UQU specialists and researchers.

The Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research, Dr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Ahdal, said that these sessions were an extension of the alternative sanctions workshop held at Umm Al-Qura University on 15-16 June this year to provide alternative solutions in order to achieve reform. He pointed out that a number of initiatives and recommendations have been agreed upon, which would play a significant role in serving the community. He also commended the support and guidance extended by His Excellency the UQU President, Prof. Abdullah bin Omar Bafail, for these sessions.

The Vice Dean of Scientific Research, Dr. Abdullah Al Tamim, emphasized that these sessions came as part of the ongoing efforts put forth to preserve the most valuable assets of this dear country: the human capital and its development and reclamation, to help move it towards a positive life filled with determination, perseverance and vitality in order to achieve what is hoped for the individual.

The Director of the Social Sciences Research Center, Dr. Abdul-Hady Al-Aidarus, clarified that these meetings, held in partnership with judicial and executive bodies, would achieve integrity and quality in national initiatives to help implement correctional alternatives that include juveniles and adults. These alternatives would essentially help reduce the rates of return to imprisonment as well as the rates of crime, and also contribute to the rehabilitation of convicted offenders to normal life in their society.