Colonel Marwan Julphar, acting Director of the General Department of Punitive and Correction of the Dubai Police, said that the Dubai Police are committed to rehabilitating inmates after their sentence, by organising programmes to help them meet challenges.

Inmates in Dubai jails are given hope of being pardoned on occasions such as Eid and National Day. “The humanitarian department, in cooperation with various charities, has helped in paying debts of hundreds of prisoners.”

Memorising the Quran can also reduce 20 years of jail terms. The UAE rulers also pardon inmates and help pay debts.

Recent statistics show that around 12,700 inmates benefitted from humanitarian financial assistance from 2003 until 2015 worth more than Dh40 milllion.

The humanitarian department was established to solve problems of inmates who completed and served their jail terms but cannot be released for different reasons such as not being able to buy air tickets and other financial obligations.

During the past three years, the section has helped in releasing 62 inmates with such cases. In 2015, the Dubai Islamic Bank Charity Association of the Dubai Islamic Bank has paid Dh1 million to 13 inmates with debts.

He said that a committee studies the conditions and files of prisoners. Priority is given to those who have small amounts.