About 30 prisoners have graduated in the last two years, some of whom the prison management says have become "very successful". "We are teaching them responsibility they can take outside when they leave prison," said Col al Zaabi. "Prisoners are often refused by the rest of the community when they return. We want to minimise this and help them socialise." Eighty prisoners are enrolled in the programme, in which electrical, technical, financial and administrative skills are taught. Any UAE-born male prisoner may enrol. The programme is not available to women. Al Wathba jail is considering expanding the programme to expatriate prisoners and a decision is expected in the next few months (April 2012).

The move is the latest measure by the UAE to reintegrate prisoners into society. The country is leading the way among GCC states in adopting a more progressive attitude to the treatment of prisoners and reintegrating them in communities. Khadeja al Otaiba, a social worker at the women's prison, said having inmates mingling together rather than divided on different security levels encouraged them to socialise and discouraged the formation of a negative self-image.

"I talk with [the women] as much as possible," she said. "Most of them come to jail and ask themselves why they [committed] the crime. We try to help them." Prison administrators have been in talks with the independent Khalifa Fund to expand the job opportunities for inmates. The fund was set up to help Emirati nationals begin their own businesses by offering financial resources and advice. No decisions or details have been finalised, but Marwan al Otaiba, the fund's marketing officer, said the programme should be launched in the next two months.

The men's prison has 1,346 inmates. The women's has 225.jhume@thenational.ae