Hosting Kuwaiti delegation in Jordan to exchange best practices on non-custodial sanctions

Penal Reform International – Middle East and North Africa (PRI MENA), in collaboration with the Public Prosecution Office of the State of Kuwait, facilitated an official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan from 28 to 30 July 2025. The visit aimed to exchange experiences and best practices in legislating and implementing non-custodial sanctions and alternative measures within the criminal justice system.

The Kuwaiti delegation, comprising Advocate General Counselor Mr. Mishaal Al-Ghannam and Prosecutor Counselor Dr. Waleed Al-Azmi, was received in Amman for a three-day programme engaging with key justice institutions and civil society organisations.

The visit commenced with a briefing by Ms. Taghreed Jaber, Regional Director of PRI MENA, who introduced the organisation’s mandate, strategic priorities and partnerships. She emphasised PRI’s role in promoting international standards and supporting the development of humane and rights-based criminal justice systems. The briefing highlighted PRI’s ongoing efforts to facilitate legislative reform and cross-border dialogue on alternatives to detention.

At the Ministry of Justice, the delegation was informed of recent legislative developments since 2017, including significant amendments to the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure. These reforms have strengthened the legal framework for applying non-custodial sanctions, contributing to more than 8,000 cases benefitting from such alternatives. The discussions addressed the societal impacts of these measures and explored mechanisms for reconciliation, compensation and community-based sentencing that foster accountability and rehabilitation.

The delegation also visited the Ministry of Social Development to examine Jordan’s Juvenile Law No. 32 of 2014, which prioritises diversion and non-custodial interventions for children in conflict with the law. Officials elaborated on the law’s implementation, the role of juvenile police and judicial authorities and the contributions of probation officers in ensuring effective oversight. The visit underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination in the juvenile justice system.

The programme concluded with a visit to the Naya Community Network in Zarqa, where the delegation observed first-hand how civil society implements alternative sanctions referred by the judiciary. The site visit showcased a comprehensive case management approach, featuring both individual and group rehabilitation programmes. The experience highlighted the vital role of community-based organisations in complementing formal justice institutions and supporting the successful reintegration of individuals subject to non-custodial measures.

This visit marks a continued commitment by PRI MENA and its regional partners to foster knowledge-sharing and to advance just, effective and rehabilitative approaches within criminal justice systems across the region.