Dubai's main prison has released hundreds of inmates serving sentences for minor crimes as part of efforts to reduce the population.
The move has seen prisoner numbers at Dubai Central Prison fall by up to 35 per cent in recent weeks.
Hundreds are pardoned by the country's rulers for Ramadan every year, but the move was part of broader attempts to tackle protect inmates during the coronavirus outbreak, officials said.
"We received directives to release inmates and since the outbreak, there are 30 to 35 per cent fewer prisoners," Brig Ali Al Shamali, director general of correctional institutions, told AFP during a tour of Al Aweer.
We want to reduce the number on a daily basis, especially release those with simple cases, not ones accused of big crimes
"We want to reduce the number on a daily basis, especially release those with simple cases, not ones accused of big crimes."
He declined to say what the total prison population was this year, but officials have previously said the jail can hold about 4,000 inmates.
For Ramadan, President Sheikh Khalifa pardoned 1,511 inmates on April 21 and a further 1,899 were released by the Rulers of Dubai, Sharjah, RAK and Fujairah the following day. More prisoners were released for Eid on Sunday.
Those pardoned have the chance to return to their families or their home countries, depending on the terms of their release.
Covid-19 tests for every inmate and warden
Behind a sound-proof glass door, an inmate speaks with someone on a computer screen after visits to the Dubai prison were suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In another room of the same compound, about 35 kilometres from the city centre, another inmate appeared for a virtual court hearing, while a third was questioned by a prosecutor online.
The use of video conferences is one of the ways authorities are trying to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the prison.
"We are trying to eliminate all direct contact with prisoners, heavily depending on modern technology," Brig Al Shamali.
"We can guarantee the health of the inmate but how can we know whether someone from outside is carrying the virus?"
Prisoners in the Dubai jail can now talk to their families using Skype.
Brig Al Shamali declined to say how many prisoners had caught the coronavirus, but said there were no "active" cases and the overall number could be "counted with fingers".
Those diagnosed with Covid-19 had mild cases and required only "isolation and simple treatment".
Our main concern is that we continue to provide the same quality of service, even if it is from afar
Everyone, whether serving time or employed at the jail, was tested "without exception" in co-ordination with the official health authorities, Brig Al Shamali said.
Inmates and staff must wear masks and gloves at all times, some classes and workshops were suspended and the prison gym closed.
To date, the UAE has recorded more than 29,000 Covid-19 cases, including 245 deaths. There have been more than 15,000 recoveries.
"We seek to reduce contact at work but our main concern is that we continue to provide the same quality of service, even if it is from afar," Badr Sultan, a prison doctor, said from his office.
Dr Sultan said most medical consultations took place by video.
New inmates are tested for Covid-19 and isolated for 48 hours before admission, Brig Al Shamali said.
In a nearby clinic, a dermatologist asked an inmate to describe his skin condition, prescribing an ointment after seeing the infected area on screen.
In another room, a psychiatrist spoke online to an inmate about the "daily pressures" of life during a pandemic.
The safety measures in the prison have been difficult on inmates, some of whom are used to spending their days in workshops and recreational classes.
A group of seven prisoners had been working on producing the largest cardboard sculpture. The goal is for Guinness World Records to certify it.
Cardboard domes and arches were scattered across a prison recreation room – parts for a scale replica of Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – but the virus restrictions have slowed work on the project in the past two months.
"I came to the UAE in 1999 and I loved the design of the Sheikh Zayed mosque, so I studied it and sought to build the biggest cardboard model by 2021," said the inmate in charge of the project.
"We have put the project aside for now. The question now is: 'What do I do with my time here?'"
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
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New Zealand squad
Tim Southee (capt), Trent Boult (games 4 and 5), Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1-3), Martin Guptill, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
