4 days ago
Bahrain Showcases Reformative Justice Leadership at National Conference
The third session of Bahrain's National Conference on Criminal Justice Reform concluded today, shining a spotlight on global best practices in adopting rehabilitative justice systems that strike a careful balance between public safety and human rights.
Chaired by Mr. Ali Ahmed Amini, Director of Crime Prevention at the Ministry of Interior, the session emphasized the importance of progressive criminal justice programs that bolster community security while enhancing the efficiency and humanity of legal systems. Amini stressed that reform-driven approaches can deliver justice without compromising the rights of the accused or the broader community.
One of the session's highlights was an in-depth presentation by Judge Ayoub Ali Abu Jaafar from Morocco's Ministry of Justice. He detailed his country's strategic shift toward alternative sentencing, especially for offenses carrying prison terms of five years or less. Morocco's legal evolution now includes community service, daily fines, electronic monitoring, and rehabilitative supervision—excluding high-risk crimes to ensure public safety and victim rights. Abu Jaafar praised Bahrain's pioneering efforts, calling them a legal and humanitarian model for the region.
From Jordan, Brigadier General Dr. Judge Mohammad Al-Shdeifat shared insights into the Hashemite Kingdom's alternative sanctions framework, including community work, electronic monitoring, and restricted movement orders. These are tailored based on the offender's background and crime severity, ensuring they pose no threat to public order. He noted societal acceptance and effective rehabilitation programs as key challenges to successful implementation.
Innovation in justice reform was another focal point, with Eng. Hassan Isa Al-Sharqi, CEO of QPlus Inspection & Quality Consultancy, illustrating how Bahrain integrates cutting-edge technology in sentence execution. He described a forward-thinking approach involving idea labs, digital transformation, and innovation cafés that feed into a cycle of continuous improvement, making the criminal justice system more responsive and future-ready.
A global perspective was offered by David Kaliolani Hasenritter, Director of Standards and Accreditation at the American Correctional Association, who lauded Bahrain's 'open prisons' as a benchmark for community reintegration. He commended the cohesive efforts of leadership and on-ground personnel in redefining reform not just through compliance, but through wholehearted adoption of rehabilitative ideals.
Closing the session, Professor Sunita Toor, Head of Human Rights and Social Justice at the University of Sheffield, highlighted the five-year collaboration between her institute and Bahrain's General Directorate for Sentence Execution. She praised Bahrain's commitment to excellence beyond minimum standards, crafting a holistic reform system rooted in integrity and community transformation.
Professor Toor emphasized that Bahrain's justice programs go beyond rehabilitation—they restore dignity and offer real pathways for reintegration. "Bahrain's experience has enriched global understanding of reformative justice,' she noted.
As Bahrain continues to set regional and international benchmarks, this conference reaffirms the Kingdom's role as a trailblazer in modernizing justice with compassion, security, and innovation at its core.
