Coordination is under waywith competent authorities to enable prisoners to pursue their graduate studies through distant learning, Brigadier General Ali Al-Harethi, Director General of Prisons told Al-Hayat here this week. He said about 567 students have shown interest in distant learning adding that three universities have enrolled inmates to take up post-graduate studies on the Internet. Al-Harethi disclosed his department's intention to discontinue keeping criminal records for pardoned prisoners, stressing that this practice has caused social, economic and psychological harm and has stood in the way of finding work once the prisoners are released. This practice, he said, defeats the purpose of reform and rehabilitation programs. Al-Harethi indicated that the General Directorate of Prisons is currently applying a new detention and imprisonment system for all inmates. The system envisages a day-off each month for inmates showing good conduct. These inmates can spend their day off outside the prison. Inmates showing exemplary good behavior may also get their jail terms reduced by a quarter, Al
