Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has called for prisoners to receive vocational training that would enable them to establish their own construction companies after completing their sentences.
He made the remarks while speaking at a ceremony to inaugurate a new office building at Asseyri Prison.
The new building was designed and constructed by prison officers and inmates. It includes additional office space, a classroom and a meeting room, and is expected to help address existing space constraints at the prison.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Ihusaan praised the quality of the construction work, saying it demonstrated the capabilities and skills of both prison officers and inmates.
He stressed the importance of expanding vocational training programmes to equip prisoners with practical skills that would enable them to become entrepreneurs and contractors after their release.
During the visit, Minister Ihusaan and Commissioner of Prisons Hassan Zareer laid the foundation stone for a new prison kitchen, which is expected to improve catering facilities at the prison.
Certificates were presented to 36 prisoners who completed a religious awareness programme held during the holy month of Ramadan. Certificates were also awarded to 29 participants, including five prison officers and 24 prisoners, who completed the Kaadhu-100 programme.
The minister also inaugurated the Qiraat Certificate Level 1 course, with 35 prisoners enrolled.
In addition, he officially launched a prison football tournament involving seven inmate teams, aimed at promoting health and strengthening social relationships among prisoners.