The Minister of Social Affairs, Yousif Al-Othaimeen, has issued a directive to discuss alternative verdicts to reduce the number of juveniles held in correction homes. Judges, members of the Ministry of Justice, the Commission for Investigation and Prosecution, Police, Prisons and the Emirate will participate in the symposium. The minister recently paid a two-hour visit to Jeddah's Social Correction House in preparation for the symposium. The house is overcrowded, containing 190 juveniles while its capacity is only 150. Non-Saudis make up 80-85 percent of the inmates. The minister took notes during the visit so as to monitor progress on his recommendations. These include expanding activities, providing library books more appropriate for juveniles and expanding the topics chosen for social psychological lectures. – Okaz __
