Article 22 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
المادة 22 من نظام السجن والتوقيف
The Implementing Regulations set the rules on social and health care, treatment inside and outside prisons, exemption from work and health-related release, with periodic examination of the person released.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
تحدد اللائحة التنفيذية القواعد الخاصة بالرعاية الاجتماعية والصحية للمسجونين والموقوفين وعلاجهم داخل السجون و دور التوقيف وخارجها، كما تحدد الأحوال التي يجوز فيها إعفاء المسجون من العمل. وتضع اللائحة التنفيذية كذلك القواعد الخاصة بالإفراج الصحي عن الأشخاص المصابين بأمراض تهدد حياتهم بالخطر أو تعجزهم عجزا كليا، على أن يتم الكشف دوريا على المفرج عنه لإعادته إلى السجن أو دار التوقيف عندما تسمح حالته الصحية بذلك.
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 22 explained in plain English
This article deals with the health and care of prisoners and detainees, and refers the details to the Implementing Regulations:
First: care and treatment
- Rules for the social and health care of prisoners and detainees.
- Rules for their treatment inside and outside prisons and detention facilities; the text thus recognizes that treatment may take place outside them.
- The cases in which a prisoner may be exempted from work.
Second: health-related release
The regulations set the rules for health-related release of persons suffering from illnesses that:
- endanger their lives, or
- leave them totally disabled.
According to the text, health-related release is not necessarily final release; the person released must be examined periodically, so that he can be returned to prison or the detention facility when his health condition allows.
The article does not specify the authority that decides on health-related release or the dates of the periodic examinations; these are left to the regulations.
It comes after Article (21), which prevents an administrative procedure from delaying the release of a prisoner or detainee at the set time, and before Article (23), which requires a detailed medical report when a prisoner or detainee dies. Anyone with a sick relative in prison can consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
Practical example
A prisoner in a prison in Madinah was struck by an illness that endangers his life. Health-related release can be considered for him under the rules set by the Implementing Regulations, with periodic examination so that he is returned to prison when his health condition allows.
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 22 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
What is health-related release of a prisoner?
Release whose rules the Implementing Regulations set for persons suffering from illnesses that endanger their lives or leave them totally disabled.
Does a prisoner released for health reasons return to prison?
He is examined periodically so that he can be returned to prison or the detention facility when his health condition allows.
Can a prisoner be treated outside the prison?
Yes. The article refers to rules for the treatment of prisoners and detainees inside and outside prisons and detention facilities, which the Implementing Regulations set.
More articles on Medical Release and Death of a Prisoner
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.