Doha: Under the patronage of HE Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Permanent Committee for Penal and Correctional Institutions announced the results of the first research award aimed at developing penal and correctional institutions. The competition saw participation from 450 researchers representing 33 countries, with a total of 118 research papers submitted. The announcement was made during a ceremony held at the Police Academy in collaboration with the Endowment Fund for Scientific and Cultural Development at the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs (Awqaf).
According to Qatar News Agency, the event was attended by HE Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Sheikh Nayef bin Falah bin Saud Al-Thani; HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Committee Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani; HE Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Sheikha Sheikha bint Jassim Al-Thani; HE Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the State of Qatar Walid Fahmy Al Faqi; along with senior officials from the Ministry of Interior, representatives of relevant entities, researchers, and professionals in the field of rehabilitation and reform.
On this occasion, Chairman of the Permanent Committee for Penal and Correctional Institutions Major General Nasser Mohammed Issa Al Sayed stated that the award launched by the committee serves as a scientific platform that enriches intellectual discourse and promotes professional practices grounded in knowledge and continuous development. He emphasized that the wise leadership has affirmed that science is the foundation of progress and that knowledge is the gateway to the future, making scientific research a cornerstone of Qatar’s Vision 2030 to become a regional and global hub for innovation and knowledge.
He noted that the award translates this vision into practice by supporting specialized research that contributes to the advancement of the penal and correctional system, transforming these institutions into scientific and humanitarian entities focused on rehabilitation and behavioral development. He added that this year’s submissions were marked by intellectual depth, reflecting the researchers’ awareness of the role of reform in achieving justice. Their work serves as a conceptual compass for developing reform programs through objective scientific methodology and realistic performance indicators.
He further explained that the administration of penal and correctional institutions believes that embedding scientific research within reform environments is a pivotal step toward transitioning from punishment to rehabilitation, and from detention to human development. The committee has worked to solidify this approach through modern reform policies and qualitative programs that support inmate reintegration and foster knowledge integration with national partners.
For his part, HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani affirmed that the inaugural edition of the research award represents a pioneering initiative that enhances the humanitarian and reformative role of these institutions. He pointed out that it reinforces the global concept that penal institutions exist for rehabilitation and reform, not merely for punishment.
His Excellency explained that the award serves as a leading scientific platform for exchanging international experiences in care, rehabilitation, and reform, opening new horizons for researchers to present qualitative studies that support performance development and elevate the reality of reform institutions in the Arab and Islamic world. He added that the award’s outcomes will enrich the Arab library with rigorous scientific research and provide professionals in the field with references that contribute to the development of reform policies and practices. He affirmed the Ministry of Awqaf’s commitment to supporting scientific and research initiatives that serve society and promote human development.
The award aims to stimulate specialized knowledge production, raise awareness of the role of reform institutions in rehabilitation and social reintegration, and improve practices based on comparative studies of successful global experiences. During the ceremony, HE Assistant Undersecretary for Security Affairs at the Ministry of Interior Sheikh Nayef bin Falah bin Saud Al-Thani honored the winners.