Article 13 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
المادة 13 من نظام السجن والتوقيف
A pregnant female prisoner or detainee receives special treatment in food and work from the appearance of pregnancy symptoms until forty days after delivery, in accordance with the Implementing Regulations.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تعامل المسجونة أو الموقوفة الحامل ابتداء من ظهور أعراض الحمل عليها معاملة طيبة خاصة من حيث الغذاء والتشغيل حتى تمضي مدة أربعين يوما على الوضع وذلك وفقا لما تقرره اللائحة التنفيذية .
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 13 explained in plain English
This article establishes special protection for a pregnant woman in prison or a detention facility:
- Whom it covers: female prisoners and female detainees alike.
- When protection begins: from the appearance of pregnancy symptoms on her.
- When protection ends: until forty days have passed after delivery.
- Its content: special, good treatment with regard to food and work.
The article does not specify the type of food or the nature of the work that is permitted or prohibited, but states that this is to be done in accordance with what the Implementing Regulations decide.
This article complements Article (14), which requires a pregnant female prisoner or detainee to be transferred to the hospital as delivery approaches and to remain there until she delivers and the doctor permits her to leave. It comes after Article (12), which refers to the regulations the rules for visits to and correspondence of prisoners and detainees and for the treatment of detainees.
Anyone who has a pregnant female relative in prison or detention and wants to know her rights in her situation can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
Pregnancy symptoms appeared on a female detainee in a women's detention facility in Riyadh. From the time the symptoms appeared she is entitled to special treatment in food and work, and this treatment continues until forty days have passed after her delivery, in accordance with what the Implementing Regulations decide.
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 13 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
Does a pregnant female prisoner get special treatment?
Yes. A pregnant female prisoner or detainee is given special, good treatment with regard to food and work.
When does special treatment for a pregnant woman in prison begin and end?
It begins from the appearance of pregnancy symptoms on her and continues until forty days have passed after delivery.
Does this treatment cover a detainee who has not been sentenced?
Yes. The text covers both the pregnant female prisoner and the pregnant female detainee.
More articles on Pregnant Prisoners and Their Children
- Article 14
A pregnant female prisoner or detainee is transferred to the hospital as delivery approaches and stays there until she delivers and the doctor permits her to leave.
تنقل الحامل المسجونة أو الموقوفة إلى المستشفى عند اقتراب الوضع وتبقى فيه حتى تضع حملها ويصرح لها الطبيب بالخروج منه.
- Article 15
A child stays with his imprisoned or detained mother until he is two years old, then is handed to his father or to the person entitled to custody under Sharia after the mother, or is placed in a child care institution if no one can support him.
يبقى مع المسجونة أو الموقوفة طفلها حتى يبلغ من العمر سنتين فإذا لم ترغب في بقائه معها أو بلغ هذا السن سلم لأبيه أو لمن له حق حضانته شرعا بعد الأم. فإن لم يكن لل
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.