The General Directorate of Prisons will allow well-behaved inmates a one-day parole every month, Makkah daily reported quoting a source in the directorate. The source said the inmates have to accrue seven points for good behavior to benefit from the decision. "Inmates now have an opportunity to earn a one-day parole each month to go out of prison and visit their families. To qualify for the opportunity, they must serve half his or her sentence. A committee was formed to review and grant paroles to inmates," said the source. The committee consists of five members from various directorates and authorities, he said. The committee includes a social researcher, an officer familiar with the inmate's case, and the heads of religious affairs, rehabilitation and inmates' affairs. "The committee evaluates each inmate based solely on his or her behavior during the month," said the source. The source also said the committee will receive requests for the one-day parole from the inmates. "The committee follows a procedure to grant inmates leave to visit their families. It looks at the inmate's behavior and the recommendations given by members of the committee. The behavior record focuses on seven main points, the most prominent of which is punctuality and commitment to attend congregational prayers and Qur'an recitation circles," said the source. Legal consultant Ali Al-Ghamdi said inmates have a right to have one day out of prison to visit their families, especially if their families are not able to visit them. "Inmates also have the right to attend funerals and weddings of family members under their guardianship. Inmates are also allowed to go out of prison to register for university exams and attend personal interviews," said Al-Ghamdi. He also said inmates may be allowed out of prison if they are in need of specialized medical treatment outside the prison.
