Iraq’s Ministry of Justice announced on Wednesday plans to establish factories within central prisons to produce clothing and bottled water, aiming to enhance inmate rehabilitation and vocational training.
Murad Al-Saadi, the ministry’s media department director, confirmed the initiative, which follows the approval of the Council of Ministers on the Inmate Employment Law. “The project aims to boost rehabilitation efforts and help inmates develop skills that will aid their reintegration into society once their sentences are served,” Al-Saadi explained.
He highlighted that the project is a crucial reform, providing inmates with opportunities to earn income, support their families, and gain certifications that could improve their job prospects after release.
Earlier this month, the ministry also introduced a digital financial transfer system for inmates, including smart electronic bracelets linked to personal bank accounts. This system allows prisoners to make electronic purchases within prison stores, reducing the potential for price manipulation.
Iraq’s prisons have long struggled with overcrowding and poor conditions. Justice Minister Khalid Shwani announced in April 2024 that overcrowding would be addressed by 2026.
Prison conditions have drawn criticism, with the Justice Network for Prisoners in Iraq labeling 80% of facilities as unfit for habitation. In December 2024, network director Shwan Saber pointed out that the prisons lacked adequate medical care, particularly for women, and did not properly separate inmates based on crime severity.
The Parliamentary Human Rights Committee reports that nearly 70,000 inmates are housed in fewer than 30 facilities nationwide, where poor ventilation, inadequate hygiene, and overcrowding have contributed to disease outbreaks and rampant drug trafficking.
