DAMMAM — As many as 5,843 prisoners in the Kingdom's jails including those sentenced to capital punishment are preparing to sit for the two-week-long mid-term exams, beginning Sunday. A total of 1,002 prisoners among them have been studying for undergraduate courses while others registered for courses at different educational levels, Al-Hayat Arabic daily reported. Maj. Abdullah Al-Harbi, assistant spokesman for the Directorate of Prisons, said examination halls have been arranged inside prisons similar to those in schools and colleges. "The exams will be conducted inside the reformatories," Al-Harbi said, adding that the directorate provides an academic atmosphere for students and supplies them with all their educational requirements. The Ministry of Education supervises exams being conducted at prisons. "People who have been jailed for various crimes can attend the exams," he explained. The education program for prisoners began as early as 1978. "We have longstanding experience in conducting exams at prisons. Every year we conduct these exams after making adequate preparations," Al-Harbi said. He said some prisoners are highly interested in continuing their education. "They have not been affected by their imprisonment as the directorate provides them with a suitable educational environment and all necessary facilities." The directorate also encourages prisoners to complete their courses and sit for exams. "We try to remove all obstacles facing the students to complete their education," Al-Harbi said. There are libraries in prisons for the reference of students. The directorate readies classrooms and exam halls and meets other academic requirements while the Education Ministry appoints teachers, supplies syllabus and supervises lessons and exams. Al-Harbi emphasized the role of educational and cultural programs in reforming and rehabilitating prisoners. "It will contribute to transforming prisoners into good citizens," he added. He said there is an educational guide in every reformatory in the Kingdom. "Young prisoners benefit from educational and reform programs at reformatories," he pointed out.
