Article 12 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
المادة 12 من نظام السجن والتوقيف
The Implementing Regulations set rules for visits, correspondence and the treatment of detainees, including food at their own expense and their own clothing, and the Minister of Interior may grant some of these privileges to a category of convicts.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية قواعد زيارة المسجونين والموقوفين ومراسلاتهم كما تضع قواعد معاملة الموقوفين وجواز حصولهم على طعام على نفقتهم الخاصة وارتدائهم زيهم الخاص فضلا عما يتقرر لهم من حقوق ومزايا أخرى.
ويجوز لوزير الداخلية أن يقرر منح كل أو بعض المزايا المقررة للموقوفين المحكوم عليهم بمدد لا تتجاوز سنة في جرائم لا تتسم بالخطورة.
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 12 explained in plain English
This article deals with an aspect that matters a great deal to the families of prisoners and detainees: visits, correspondence and day-to-day treatment:
First: what the Implementing Regulations determine
- Rules for visits to prisoners and detainees.
- Rules for their correspondence.
- Rules for the treatment of detainees, including their being permitted to obtain food at their own expense and to wear their own clothing.
- Other rights and privileges established for detainees.
The Law thus recognizes the principle of visits and correspondence, and mentions private food and private clothing for detainees, but leaves details such as times and controls to the Implementing Regulations.
Second: the power of the Minister of Interior
The Minister of Interior may decide to grant all or some of the privileges established for detainees to convicts sentenced to terms not exceeding one year for crimes that are not serious. According to the text this is discretionary, and both conditions must be met together: a short term and a crime that is not serious.
The article comes after Article (11) on the transition period before release for anyone whose imprisonment exceeds four years, and before Article (13), which provides special treatment for a pregnant female prisoner or detainee in food and work.
Practical example
Abdullah was detained in a detention facility in Makkah, and his family asked whether food could be brought for him and when visiting hours are. Under this article, a detainee may obtain food at his own expense and wear his own clothing under the rules of the Implementing Regulations, and the regulations also set the rules for visits.
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 12 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
Can a detainee get food from outside the prison?
The article provides that the Implementing Regulations set the rules for treating detainees, including their being permitted to obtain food at their own expense.
Does a detainee wear his own clothes?
The article mentions that detainees may wear their own clothing under the rules set by the Implementing Regulations.
Who sets prisoner visiting times?
The Implementing Regulations set the rules for visits to prisoners and detainees and for their correspondence.
Can a convict get the privileges of a detainee?
The Minister of Interior may grant all or some of the privileges established for detainees to convicts sentenced to terms not exceeding one year for crimes that are not serious.
More articles on Rights of Prisoners and Detainees
- Article 10
The Implementing Regulations set the rules for classifying prisoners by type and seriousness of crime, repetition and length of sentence, and the bases that make their rehabilitation easier.
تضع اللائحة التنفيذية قواعد تقسيم المسجونين وفقا لنوع الجرائم المحكوم عليهم من أجلها وخطورتها وتكرار ارتكابها ووفقا لمدد العقوبة وللأسس التي تيسر تقويم المحكوم
- Article 16
The employment of prisoners and detainees follows rules set by the Ministry of Interior jointly with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs.
يكون تشغيل المسجونين والموقوفين وفق قواعد تضعها وزارة الداخلية بالاشتراك مع وزارة العمل والشئون الاجتماعية .
- Article 17
Prison and detention administrations must ensure a Muslim can perform his religious rites and provide the means, and each must have one or more religious counselors and one or more social and psychological specialists.
يجب على إدارات السجون ودور التوقيف أن تكفل محافظة المسلم في السجن أو دار التوقيف على إقامة شعائره الدينية الإسلامية وأن تهيئ له الوسائل اللازمة لأدائها. ويكون ل
- Article 18
The Ministry of Interior sets education curricula in prisons with the competent authorities, the Implementing Regulations set examination rules, a library is established, and prisoners may bring in books and newspapers at their own expense.
تضع وزارة الداخلية بالاتفاق مع الجهات المختصة المسئولة عن التعليم والتوعية مناهج التعليم والتثقيف داخل السجون ودور التوقيف . وتحدد اللائحة التنفيذية قواعد وإجرا
- Article 19
The Ministry of Interior, in coordination with the competent authorities, sets social service programs inside prisons and detention facilities and for the families of prisoners and detainees.
تضع وزارة الداخلية بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة برامج للخدمة الاجتماعية داخل السجون ودور التوقيف ، ولأسر المسجونين والموقوفين.
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.