Jau: A team from the Directorate of Monitoring of Prisons and Detention Facilities at the Office of the Ombudsman conducted a field visit to the Jau Reform and Rehabilitation Centre to review the conditions of inmates and follow up on their observance of religious rituals during Ashoora.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the visit is part of the Ombudsman's role and mandate under Article 12 of Decree No. 35 of 2013, and aims to assess the treatment of inmates and its compliance with relevant national legal standards.
The team conducted private interviews with a random sample of inmates to gather their views on the freedom to practise religious rituals during Muharram. Inmates confirmed that arrangements were in place to facilitate Ashoora observances. The team also reviewed surveillance recordings across various buildings and wards, which showed groups of inmates conducting rituals at designated prayer areas during morning and evening hours. These practices were found to be conducted in accordance with internal regulations and in line with security and safety protocols.
The Ombudsman also reviewed documents outlining the centre's operational plans for facilitating religious observance while maintaining institutional security. The team noted effective cooperation and coordination from the centre's administration in supporting procedures that enable smooth and seamless Ashoora commemorations.
The Office of the Ombudsman reiterated its commitment to monitoring conditions in reform and rehabilitation centres through both regular visits and occasion specific inspections, including during religious observances such as Ramadhan and Ashoora. These efforts fall within a broader framework aimed at reinforcing transparency, upholding constitutionally and legally protected rights and freedoms, and ensuring the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms in the Kingdom of Bahrain.