Article 27 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
المادة 27 من نظام السجن والتوقيف
Prison officials and guards may use firearms against prisoners or detainees to repel an attack or forceful resistance or to prevent escape when other means fail, firing into the air first.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
يجوز للمختصين بداخل السجون و دور التوقيف ولرجال الحفظ المكلفين بحراسة المسجونين أو الموقوفين أن يستعملوا أسلحتهم النارية ضد المسجونين أو الموقوفين في الأحوال الآتية:
1 - صد هجوم أو مقاومة مصحوبة باستعمال القوة إذا لم يكن في مقدورهم صدها بوسائل أخرى.
2 - منع الفرار إذا لم يمكن منعه بوسائل أخرى.
ويجب إطلاق النار أولا في الفضاء، فإذا لم يجدي ذلك جاز للأشخاص المكلفين بالحراسة إطلاق النار في اتجاه ساقي المسجون أو الموقوف أو يديه بما يوقف هجومه أو مقاومته أو محاولته الفرار.
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 27 explained in plain English
This article specifies when a firearm may be used against prisoners or detainees, and sets conditions and gradation for it:
Who may do so? The specialists inside prisons and detention facilities, and the security personnel assigned to guard prisoners or detainees.
In only two cases:
- Repelling an attack or resistance accompanied by the use of force, if they cannot repel it by other means.
- Preventing escape, if it cannot be prevented by other means.
In both cases the firearm is therefore a last resort after other means have failed.
Gradation in use:
- Fire must be shot first into the air.
- If that does not work, it is permissible to fire in the direction of the legs of the prisoner or detainee or his hands, in a way that stops his attack, resistance or attempt to escape.
The text indicates that the purpose is to stop the attack, resistance or escape, not to cause the greatest harm. It is followed by Article (28), which prohibits assault on prisoners or detainees of any kind and provides for disciplining employees who commit assault, without prejudice to criminal penalties. It is preceded by Article (26) on deducting the period of detention from the sentence.
In any incident of this kind, it is advisable to consult a lawyer who specializes in criminal cases.
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 27 of the Saudi Prisons and Detention Law
When may a prison guard use a firearm?
To repel an attack or resistance accompanied by the use of force, or to prevent escape, if that cannot be done by other means.
Does the guard fire directly at a fleeing prisoner?
No. Fire must be shot first into the air, and if that does not work it may be fired in the direction of the legs or hands in a way that stops the attack, resistance or escape.
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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.