Terrorism prisoners get ‘top treatment’

Citizens held at Dhahban prison for terrorism offenses have access to top class services including gyms, swimming pools, food prepared by chefs, doctors and special laundry services, a local publication reported recently.
The inmates’ laundry is cleaned every day using special sterilization processes, the supervisor of the section was quoted as saying. This includes their clothing and bed sheets, he said.
At the prison restaurant, a team of chefs and dietitians prepare daily meals, which include four types of food. According to the security officer in charge of nutrition, the meals include meat, chicken and fish. “Meals are also prepared for those who are fasting, which includes dates and milk. We also offer healthy meals for detainees who are dieting.”
He said detainees can share their views by filling in a questionnaire, and request certain meals. They also have access to drinks, sweets, chocolates, biscuits, and all types of cigarettes.
Health care services are provided at the Central Security Hospital at the prison. The supervisor of medical services, a physician holding the rank of lieutenant, said the center has 30 beds, which would be expanded in future.
There are 132 medical staffers working at the hospital, including 22 consultants, 74 nurses, and 46 top consultant physicians who visit when needed. It has 14 specialized clinics and two kidney dialysis machines. The hospital also helps to identify donors for detainees needing kidney transplants, with the procedure taking place at the prison hospital. Last year the medical staff carried out 23,493 examinations, he said.
Health services are also provided at the Mohammed bin Naif Medical and Counseling Center, which has 13 clinics and several specialized doctors. Tareq Al-Yami, the physician in charge, said an expansion is underway.
The center includes seminar halls, private rooms for individual and group meetings, private bedrooms, swimming pools, gyms, and recreation areas. Brig. Gen. Ali Al-Zahrani, the supervisor, said the center provides services for community integration and behavioral counseling.