Qatar's Ministry of Interior Unveils First Research Award to Upgrade Punitive, Correctional Institutions

Doha, January 22 (QNA) - The Ministry of Interior (MoI) held a ceremony Monday to announce the first research award dedicated to upgrading Penal and Correctional Institutions. The event was organized by the permanent committee for punitive and correctional institutions, in collaboration with endowment fund for scientific and cultural development of the General Department of Endowments under the patronage of HE Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Held at the Officers Club of the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the ceremony was attended by Director-General of Civil Defense Maj Gen Hamad bin Othman Al Duhaimi, Director of Penal and Correctional Institutions Department and chairman of the permanent committee for punitive and correctional institutions Brig. Gen Nasser Mohammed Al Sayed, HE Director General of the General Directorate of Endowments, vice chairman of the Committee Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanim Al-Thani, alongside several directors at MoI, officers and specialists. To mark this occasion, Director of Penal and Correctional Institutions Department and chairman of the permanent committee for punitive and correctional institutions Brig. Gen Nasser Mohammed Al Sayed said the aim of launching the award is to primarily promote research that target reforming inmates, rehabilitating them, returning them to community as good individuals, studying their humanitarian and social conditions, as well as the legislation that regulates penal and correctional institutions, and establishing the global principle which affirms that those institutions are solely for reform and rehabilitation. The civilized nations have achieved tangible progress in science and knowledge because they believe in scientific research and accordingly have solved their problems through their findings, in addition to utilizing their resources, developing their economy, adapting their potential, and achieving security, Al Sayed added. He pointed out that the third article of the law regulating the punitive and correctional institutions No. 3 of 2009 stipulates that the objective of the institution is to reform and rehabilitate inmates through utilizing all educational, teaching and medical methods and influences, vocational training, social services, sports, cultural and recreational activities to stir inmates desire to pursue decent life and good citizenry, pointing out that stemming from this principle the organization of this award came to leverage state-of-the-art means of reform and rehabilitation and achieve the national vision of the State of Qatar 2030. HE Director General of the General Directorate of Endowments, vice chairman of the Committee Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanim Al-Thani said the research award promotes the vital role performed by the institution in protecting the community and offering a wholesome and conducive environment for individuals who contribute to developing the community, pointing out that the award will offer qualitative research that promote work, understand better practices and share experiences and expertise. His Excellency hoped the research would be a scientific reference for those operating in punitive and correctional institutions globally. A documentary was screened during the aforementioned ceremony on the key objectives of the award to supply the Arabic library with trailblazing research in the area of rehabilitating and reforming inmates, spurring those who look for refined knowledge production, in addition to spreading individuals’ awareness on punitive and correctional institutions and their corrective and developmental role in society, provided that research is reflected in contributing to the development of punitive and correctional institutions in practice, and contributing to the transfer of experiences between individuals and institutions in a way that serves the advancement of the operation of punitive and correctional institutions. The theme of the award primarily focuses on the programmes of successful care, reform, and rehabilitation in prisons, as per experiences of several countries around the world, as researchers can change the title in a way that does not deviate from the content of the award topic. Special awards have been dedicated to subscribers. Winner will receive QR150,000 with a certificate of appreciation, while winner of the second place will receive QR100,000 with a certificate of appreciation, with the winner of the third place receiving QR50,000 with a certificate of appreciation. In addition, MoI stated that the participation in the award is available for all researchers at home and abroad, as those who desire to participate shall submit their research via the designated website on the specified dates, adding that participants are invited to register and submit their research during the period from Jan. 29 to Feb. 27, 2025, for the award results will be announced on July 17, 2025. The information about the award, along with scientific and formal requirements for the research can be obtained via the link: https://awqaf.gov.qa/eslah/. (QNA)