Manama, Jan. 7 (BNA): Shaikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Khalifa, Director-General of Verdict Enforcement and Alternative Sentencing, received the International Accreditation Certification of Community Housing for Open Prisons approved by the American Correctional Association (ACA) for the Open Prisons Programme.

The accreditation is added to the Alternative Sentencing Project and the Open Prisons Programme's record of achievements, which reflects the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Khalid hailed His Majesty the King’s directives to improve the application of the provisions of the Alternative Penal Code and the implementation of the Open Prisons Programme, noting the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to provide opportunities for beneficiaries to reintegrate into society.

He also expressed his appreciation for the support of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, to the Alternative Sentencing Project and the Open Prisons Programme, which is considered one of the initiatives of Bahrainouna, the national plan to promote the spirit of belonging to the nation and reinforce the value of citizenship.

The Director-General said that obtaining the accreditation certificate proved the programme’s professional performance and outcomes.

The ACA is one of the oldest regulatory bodies that supervises inmate detention centres internationally and grants a certificate of accreditation to correctional institutions that pass all 137 international standards related to human rights.