Abu Dhabi Judicial Department Partners With Korean Institute For Correctional Excellence

The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Academy (ADJA), recently hosted a workshop in partnership with the Institute of Justice of the Republic of Korea. The event aimed to share knowledge on managing rehabilitation and correctional centres, drawing from international best practices to boost Abu Dhabi's global competitiveness.

This workshop is part of a broader initiative by ADJD, which collaborates with both regional and international judicial bodies. These efforts align with directives from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of ADJD. The goal is to foster partnerships and integrate global experiences into local practices.

In his opening remarks, Counsellor Hasan Alhammadi, Director of the Prosecution Affairs Division in Abu Dhabi, underscored the UAE's dedication to rehabilitating inmates and facilitating their reintegration into society. He pointed out that the country has robust legislation governing rehabilitation and correctional centres and actively participates in international human rights conventions.

Alhammadi also highlighted the recent enactment of Law No. 4 of 2024, which regulates rehabilitation and correctional centres in Abu Dhabi. This law marks a significant milestone following the transfer of management responsibilities to the Judicial Department, aiming to enhance correctional and rehabilitation systems effectively.

Lee Ki-hyun, Director of the Correctional Training Department at the Institute of Justice of the Republic of Korea, addressed participants via videoconference. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between ADJD and Korean judicial institutions for exchanging insights on advanced systems and training programmes.

Technological Integration in Correctional Administration

Ahn Hyo Jeong, a professor at the Institute of Justice, elaborated on Korea's use of modern technologies in correctional administration. He discussed vocational training programmes and psychotherapy designed to prepare inmates for societal reintegration while reducing recidivism rates among juvenile offenders.

Another professor from the Institute of Justice, Lee Seok Jin, spoke about training and qualifying correctional officers in Korea. He detailed how modern educational programmes, practical applications, and field training ensure officers are well-prepared to perform their duties efficiently while promoting legal awareness and safeguarding human rights.

The workshop is part of a series organised by ADJD in coordination with regional and international judicial authorities. This aligns with directives from His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to strengthen partnerships and adopt international experiences.

The event underscores ADJD's commitment to enhancing its systems by learning from global best practices. By integrating advanced technologies and comprehensive training programmes, Abu Dhabi aims to set new standards in managing rehabilitation and correctional centres.

With inputs from WAM