Inmate week raises awareness on effects of drugs

MUSCAT: Central Prison Inmate Products Exhibition was opened at the City Centre Muscat yesterday under the auspices of Dr. Essam bin Ali Al Rowas, Deputy Chairman of the Public Authority for Craft Industries (PACI) in the presence of Maj. Gen Suleiman bin Mohammed Al Harthy, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Administrative and Financial Affairs.

Senior officers of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and delegations of GCC correctional institutions are participating in the 5th GCC Inmate Week.

The chief guest of the event and the audience were briefed on the contents of the exhibition, which included a corner to display craft, art products, clothing, jewellery and women’s accessories, in addition to a corner of the Directorate General for Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances to raise awareness of harmful effects of drugs, in cooperation with the National Committee for Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, as well as a corner for religious preaching and guidance of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

Activities of the Inmate Week will continue on Monday with the organisation of an entertaining concert by central prison inmates, in addition to the opening of a mini exhibition of products of inmates in the central prison.

There will also be a tour to the greenhouses and reserves to visit agricultural products in the prison farm.

The Inmate Week aims to highlight the inmates and their families to focus more attention by the various sectors and institutions of society and to highlight the efforts made by the penal and correctional institutions in the GCC countries for the rehabilitation and reform of the inmates.

It also highlights the issues and problems faced by inmates and community awareness of the need for attention to the inmates and their families, helping them after release and encourage them to participate in various activities within the prison.