UAE Legal NewsBahrain is giving its justice system another facelift—this time, with two new tools in its alternative sentencing arsenal. Offenders could soon find themselves reporting regularly to security facilities or spending time in psychiatric or health institutions, as part of a growing shift from punishment to rehabilitation.
With these new measures, the list of alternative penalties jumps from seven to nine, reflecting Bahrain’s widening embrace of reformative justice. The updates were given the green light unanimously by the Shura Council, following a similar vote in Parliament, signaling full-throttle political backing.
The 2017 Alternative Sentencing Law, already considered progressive, has been reshaped to not only address crime but also humanize the response to it. The expanded lineup of penalties now includes:
- Community service
- House arrest
- Location restrictions
- Targeted internet bans (now narrowed to websites tied directly to the offense)
- No-contact orders
- Electronic monitoring
- Rehabilitation/training programs
- Restitution for damages
- And now, compulsory psychiatric/health placement and timed reporting to security offices
Oversight of these measures will be centralized under the Interior Ministry—a move designed to streamline enforcement and avoid the scattershot coordination problems of the past.
Since 2017, nearly 8,000 individuals have benefited from these non-custodial alternatives. That’s more than just a number—it’s a rethink of how a nation treats those who’ve gone astray.
Dr. Ali Al Rumaihi, chair of the Shura Council’s foreign affairs, defence, and national security committee, emphasized the big picture: “This is about giving people a real second chance. It’s about reducing prison overcrowding while helping offenders become contributors, not burdens.”
Dr. Jihad Al Fadhel, the Council’s second vice-chairwoman, noted the importance of keeping justice in step with the digital age. By tailoring internet restrictions to specific offenses, rather than applying blanket bans, the system becomes more precise and fair. She also floated an idea to give these programs long-term fuel: a dedicated support fund financed by government, private sector, and civil society.
This isn’t a solo act. Ministries of Interior, Justice, and Social Development, along with the judiciary, bar association, and national human rights body, all had a hand in crafting the reforms. A clear sign that Bahrain’s institutions are aligning behind the concept of justice as a path to reintegration—not just incarceration.
Shaikh Ahmed Al Khalifa, deputy chairman of the Shura Council’s committee on foreign affairs and security, applauded the overhaul but nudged for deeper reflection. Are these sentences truly proportionate to the crimes? Are offenders’ mental and emotional states being evaluated before they’re slotted into alternative programs?
Ali Al Aradi, the committee’s rapporteur, called the reforms a pivot toward global best practices—less eye-for-an-eye, more future-focused.
Now, the final word rests with His Majesty King Hamad. If ratified, Bahrain’s justice system won’t just have new tools—it’ll have a new tone: tough when needed, but increasingly tuned to the quiet, complex work of real rehabilitation.
