Article 1 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
المادة 1 من نظام السجن والتوقيف
The article provides that prison sentences are carried out in prisons, and anyone subject to a detention order from the competent authorities is placed in detention centers, under this Law and its Regulations, without prejudice to the rules on treating juveniles.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تنفذ عقوبات السجن في السجون، ويودع من يصدر بشأنه أمر توقيف من السلطات المختصة دور التوقيف وذلك وفقا لأحكام هذا النظام ولائحته التنفيذية. ومع عدم الإخلال بالقواعد المتعلقة بمعاملة الأحداث.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 1 explained in plain English
This article lays down the basic rule of the Law, which is to distinguish between two different places:
- Prison: the place where prison sentences are carried out, that is, it is set aside for anyone against whom a prison sentence has been issued.
- Detention center: the place where anyone subject to a detention order from the competent authorities is placed.
The article provides that all of this takes place in accordance with the provisions of this Law and its Implementing Regulations, so the practical details of running prisons and detention centers are not all set out in the Law itself, but are referred to the Regulations.
The article also provides that this is without prejudice to the rules on treating juveniles; that is, juveniles have special rules for their treatment that remain in place and are not canceled by the provisions of this article, though the article does not state the content of those rules.
Article 2 follows it, explaining that the Minister of Interior establishes by his decisions prisons for men and others for women, and detention centers for men and others for women, and that the Implementing Regulations set the rules for their administration, guarding, health conditions and safety measures.
If you or a relative has a situation relating to prison or detention, it is appropriate to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal cases to find out what applies to the case.
Practical example
Khaled was held pending a case in Jeddah under a detention order from the competent authority, so he was placed in a detention center, not a prison. After a judgment of imprisonment was issued against him, that sentence came to be carried out in prison, all in accordance with this Law and its Implementing Regulations.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 1 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
What is the difference between a prison and a detention center?
According to the article, prison sentences are carried out in prisons, while anyone subject to a detention order from the competent authorities is placed in detention centers.
Do these provisions apply to juveniles?
The article provides that this is without prejudice to the rules on treating juveniles, so those rules remain in place.
Who sets the details of carrying out imprisonment and detention?
The article refers to the provisions of this Law and its Implementing Regulations.
More articles on Prisons and Detention Houses and Their Oversight
- Article 2
The Minister of Interior establishes by decisions separate prisons and detention centers for men and women according to the needs of the Kingdom's regions, and the Regulations set the rules for their administration, guarding and safety.
تنشأ بقرارات من وزير الداخلية سجون للرجال وأخرى للنساء ودور توقيف للرجال وأخرى للنساء على أن يراعى في إنشائها الاستجابة لحاجات وحدات التقسيم الإداري للمملكة وتح
- Article 3
A General Directorate of Prisons affiliated with the Ministry of Interior supervises carrying out sentences and detention orders in the Kingdom's regions through its own bodies, as the Regulations determine.
يشرف على تنفيذ العقوبات وأوامر التوقيف مديرية عامة للسجون تتبع وزارة الداخلية وتمارس اختصاصاتها في المناطق المختلفة بالمملكة بواسطة أجهزة تابعة لها، وذلك طبقا ل
- Article 5
Prisons and detention facilities are subject to judicial, administrative, health and social inspection, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations.
تخضع السجون ودور التوقيف للتفتيش القضائي والإداري والصحي والاجتماعي وذلك وفقا لأحكام اللائحة التنفيذية .
- Article 6
The Minister of Interior establishes by decision a Supreme Council of Prisons to study the development of prisons and detention facilities and propose ways to combat delinquency and repeat offending, choosing its members from different specializations.
ينشئ وزير الداخلية بقرار يصدره مجلسا أعلى للسجون تكون مهمته إجراء الدراسات الخاصة بتطوير دور السجن والتوقيف على نحو يحقق الهدف منها، ويجعلها أكثر فعالية في تقوي
- Article 30
The Minister of Interior issues the Implementing Regulations of the Prisons and Detention Law.
يصدر وزير الداخلية اللوائح التنفيذية لهذا النظام.
- Article 31
The Prisons and Detention Law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.
ينفذ هذا النظام من تاريخ نشره في الجريدة الرسمية.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.