Convicts who receive alternative punishments could be placed in specialised psychiatric institutions or health clinics, or told to report at security facilities during specific timings.
MPs are set to review and vote on government-drafted amendments to the 2017 Alternative Punishments and Sentencing Law during their weekly session on Tuesday.
The amendments would allow judges to impose collective alternative punishments rather than choose one from the options available on the list.
Currently, the seven punishments are: work in community services; in-house arrest; prohibition from visiting specific places within a designated geographical area and using particular electronic websites; commitment to stay away from confrontation or contact with specific individuals, groups or bodies; electronic tracing and monitoring; attending rehabilitation and training programmes; and fixing damages caused by the crime.
They will now be increased to nine if Parliament and the Shura Council approve the new amendments – with placement in psychiatric care institutions or health clinics; and mandatory attendance at security facilities added to the list.
Earlier, some offenders were totally prohibited from using electronic websites. However, the new amendments also expand the scope to include electronic websites ‘related to the crime/crimes the convicts were involved in’.
The changes have been fully backed by the Social Development, Interior and Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry.
The Supreme Judicial Council, National Institution for Human Rights, and Bahrain Bar Society have also voiced their approval.
Parliament’s foreign affairs, defence and national security committee has recommended giving a go-ahead for the amendments drafted by the government.
“These changes aim to modernise the justice system by reducing reliance on incarceration while ensuring effective rehabilitation and public safety,” said committee chairman MP Hassan Bukhammas.
“They allow judicial authorities to co-ordinate with the Public Prosecution and relevant agencies to substitute imprisonment with an alternative penalty before the sentence is enforced.
“New guidelines outline the eligibility criteria for alternative penalties, ensuring they are applied fairly and effectively.
The amendments state that the Interior Minister will now be responsible for overseeing all aspects related to the implementation of alternative penalties.
Parliament’s legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Mahmood Fardan said his committee reviewed changes to the law and confirmed their constitutionality, asserting that they do not contradict existing legal frameworks.
“The shift in responsibility to the Interior Minister provides a centralised and effective approach to implementing alternative penalties,” he said.
“The widened scope of the law is expected to reduce overcrowding in prisons, improve rehabilitation efforts and modernise sentencing options while requiring continued oversight to prevent overreach.”
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