Twelve inmates believed to have been involved in the riot at a women's correctional facility here have been transferred to other parts of the country by officials from the social affairs ministry, raising concerns that this may compromise the investigation into conditions at the institution. Saudi Gazette reported on Tuesday, quoting sources from inside the facility, that three of the oldest inmates had been moved earlier this week and that their files and complaints had been hidden from investigators. These three were part of a larger group that had protested last Friday against the institution's alleged maladministration. The women had complained of poor living conditions, including solitary confinement and beatings by staff. Their version has been supported by the National Society of Human Rights, based on confessions by some women guards, who admitted to being involved in the beatings. The NSHR has also slammed the ministry for failing to making improvements at the home, despite a report from the Society compiled more than two years ago. In this latest development, the Directorate of Social Affairs in the Makkah Region transferred the 12 female inmates to homes in the Tabuk and Al-Qassim regions, and Jeddah and Taif governorates. Sources inside the home said that many of the families of the women have not been informed about the transfer. A source from the investigation committees said that they were disturbed by the decision by officials from the ministry to transfer more inmates when an investigation was still underway. They said such a measure should have been taken after completion of the probe, and after the results had been announced. The sources said this decision by ministry officials was further proof of the haphazard manner in which this issue had been handled from the beginning. According to available information, the Ministry of Social Affairs officials are determined to go ahead with their probe of two social workers that the officials have accused of instigating the riot. The social workers have denied the allegations, instead accusing the administration of causing the problems. On Wednesday morning, ministry officials went through the files of inmates at the hospital. Later most of the staff, including female social workers, supervisors and employees, was asked to stay behind after working hours to be questioned. A copy of the complaint filed by the inmates has been revealed. The 12 page document was written by two inmates and signed by all 35 inmates. The complaint was witnessed by the Religious Supervisor at the home. Copies are also in possession of the investigators from the various committees looking into the incident. In the document, inmates claimed that they were often violently frisked after family visits. The women stated that they were humiliated by this procedure, but was told by the administration that it was part of the social affairs' regulations. The women also complained that they were not allowed to speak to any member of other government agencies which came to inspect the conditions at the institution from time to time. “When the prisons' committees came to visit [to check on conditions], the administration would gather us quickly in the prayer area. A female supervisor would sit on a chair behind the door to prevent us from leaving. She would inform us that we were being kept there because of maintenance work at the home,” the women stated in their complaint. The inmates also accused a female supervisor, identified as H.K. and a director of the home, of abusing them. The director would beat the women on their hands with wooden rulers. The women said that most of them had already suffered from some form of domestic abuse, and had then found more violence and harsher treatment at the facility. The women claimed that the female director met with them on Jan.4 and threatened them with punishment and beatings if they disobeyed her orders. “The female supervisors taunted us [with details] of our cases and when one of us would fall sick, she would be prevented from going to the hospital. We would often find cockroaches and other insects floating on our food. They would also force us to carry the home's garbage with our own hands. They deprived us of celebrating the two feasts – Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha – by accusing us of stealing keys. Furthermore, we were forced to clean the home every morning,” the women stated. The women accused seven female supervisors of abusing them. Abdullah Al-Yousef, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs, has promised action against any person who had violated the rights of inmates, reports Hazim Al-Muttairi “We should let the authorities have an opportunity to investigate, without any sensationalism. The female inmates are like our daughters and we won't accept violations,” he said. Al-Yousef said the investigation committee was given five days to complete its probe and issue a report, but more time may be needed. Al-Yousef added that there was a “scarcity” of suitable buildings for correction homes in Makkah. He said a building for a correctional facility should have “privacy and security requirements”. “A correction home is not an administrative office,” he said.
