MUSCAT – Oman has literally been pinned with a star on its shoulders for taking the grand initiative to offer a second chance to inmates by organising a unique exhibition of their artistic, creative and technical endeavours that displayed not only their innovativeness but also their hard-earned efforts. This was the striking view of DR WAHID ALI SAID AL KHARUSI, president and chairperson of Oman Cancer Association (OCA), who was present on the last and final day of this exhibition at a popular mall in town.
“I would say that this – organising such an exhibition – is a great star on our shoulders and on the shoulders of Oman,” Dr Kharusi told Black & White. He noted that not many countries engaged in such efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate inmates into society and was therefore proud of Oman for making this a reality. “We are very proud of what is happening here and I suggest that this happens every year,” he stated.
Offering a second chance
That Oman is a country which offers a second chance to inmates is evident in the enthusiastic response to the annual exhibition of Unified Gulf Inmates Week, organised by the directorate general of prisons, which was recently held at the Mall of Oman.
The Mall played host to this special exhibition, held under the theme ‘Towards the Path of Reform’, which featured an array of creative handcrafted items on display by both male and female inmates of the directorate general of prisons and an equally excited crowd that not only viewed the exhibits, but dug into their pockets to purchase them.
Oman’s dedication to giving second chances strongly comes into play in that fact that the country is looking beyond the position of the inmates and giving them an opportunity to be suitably trained and ready to face the world when they leave the confines of the prison, Dr Kharusi said. “We are not looking at prisoners as just prisoners, but training them to be useful when they leave prison,” he pointed out. Thanks to the training provided within the prisons, they are ready for the future and are able to not only integrate themselves into society but also pursue a variety of jobs or services from small and medium size businesses and others, which will further enable them to look after themselves and their families, he noted.
Golden opportunity
Dr Kharusi also exhorted the public, which missed this golden opportunity to witness, savour and own the delightful fruits of the labour of the inmates, to come next year and support the cause. “They should make sure that they come next year and support our unfortunate young men and women in prison, and support the prison system and support our government too,” he said. The best part of this innovative venture was “the realisation that the inmates are trainable, even though they are unfortunately in prison for one reason or another. Sometimes it’s not their mistake, but that is life,” he said.
Heartwarming to witness
He added that it was heartwarming to witness what was happening at the exhibition as a whole and it offered the first and right step to reform.“This is reformation, rehabilitation, and most importantly reintegration into the society (for the inmates),” he said.
Successful reintegration
The public went through the exhibition, which featured traditional crafts, paintings, pottery, clothing, headgear, furniture, silverware and food products. Most of them were seen marvelling at the works, which reflected the skills that the inmates have developed through vocational training and creative workshops. “The underlying theme of the exhibition is that it is aimed at rehabilitation, empowerment and successful reintegration,” a spokesperson at the exhibition said.
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