Bahrain began on Sunday the implementation of the “alternative punishments law”, as the Public Prosecution has proposed alternative punishments for 11 women who had been sentenced to time in prison.
Public Prosecutor Ali bin Fadhel Al-Buainain said that under the proposal, the women will do community service or join rehabilitation programs instead of spending time in prison.
He added that the decision was based on legal provisions and guidelines for alternative punishments, which were passed by the Shura Council last year.
Buainain noted that criminal proceedings – in accordance with the alternative punishments law – would be based on the conviction of the court and the judge's assessment of the appropriate penalty to be imposed depending on the circumstances of the crime and considerations that might reflect the threat posed by the accused or his unwillingness to commit a crime in the future.
The new guidelines offer judges and the public prosecution extra options for punishment that will help ease congestion in prisons and help in some cases with family stability and living conditions.
The Public Prosecutor also stressed that the Penal Code and alternative measures constitute a “qualitative leap”, and a better means to resolve many problems raised by practical application, in line with international legislation and experience that proved to be a tangible success.
