JAZAN — Minister of Social Affairs Yousef Al-Othaimeen has dismissed the Jazan juvenile center manager and placed him under investigation. The action follows reports in the local media of the miserable conditions of the center due to the manager's negligence and carelessness. The report said that the center was in a state of disrepair — the building was old and its doors, bathrooms, windows and air-conditioning are all in a miserable condition. It said the building did not have the capacity to cater to the number of inmates currently held at the facility. The minister also directed to move all the inmates of the center to a new facility, which was made ready within 72 hours of the official order. A field team of specialists was also formed to supervise the transfer process, and to nominate a replacement for the dismissed manager. A number of inmates had complained to the National Society for Human Rights to relieve their sufferings. They said the number of beds was not enough and some of them had to wait their turn to sleep. Beds and blankets are in poor shape, and the bathrooms and bedrooms are not cleaned and sanitized, they said. The manager of the center had claimed that the building was rented, and the services to inmates were provided according to available resources. Al-Othaimeen said negligence by officials will not be tolerated, and the maximum punishment will be imposed on those who fail to perform their public duty as required. Prince Mohammad Bin Naser, Emir of Jazan, said those who serve the public should live up to the responsibility. He instructed the speedy transfer of the detainees to the new center. Assistant Minster of Social Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Yousef said a new center was readied and all inmates will be transferred there within two weeks. The new center, which is built on a 40,000 square meter plot of land, is well equipped and has room for 200 inmates. Al-Yousef said the inmates are provided with summer and winter clothing, in addition to personal care and hygiene products.
