Saudi Gazette Report



RIYADH — The General Directorate of Prisons on Saturday denied that it had begun to implement the "Efaa " initiative that was circulated recently, explaining that it is one of the ideas that are still under study.



The directorate’s statement came in response to a video that went viral recently in which an official in the directorate was seen declaring the initiative that would have enabled non-Arabic speaking prisoners the possibility of purchasing time, for half the period of a public right in return for a sum of money that was estimated at SR18,000 per year.



The initiative aims to manage prison capacity and to reduce overcrowding, as well as to involve society and the private sector, the directorate explained, adding that it will also help to improve the inmates behavior and to reduce the expenditure being spent by the prison administration on prisoners.