Crown Prince meets ex-prisoners

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, yesterday met 24 former prison inmates who had completed a professional rehabilitation programme implemented by the Higher Colleges of Technology in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior. The state news agency, WAM, reported that through the educational programme, 19 of the men, who had served in Al Wathba prison, had been recruited by public and private sector organisations. Eight of them were hired by Abu Dhabi Media Company (ADMC), which owns and publishes The National.

Addressing the former prisoners yesterday, Sheikh Mohammed said the real wealth of the nation lay in its citizens, and called on the graduates to learn from their mistakes and multiply their efforts to contribute to society. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, the Minister of Interior, thanked all the institutions that had provided job opportunities for the recruits, particularly ADMC. Mohammed Khalaf al Mazrouei, the chairman of ADMC, said: "Hiring these graduates translates the company's belief and duty towards the community.

"These graduates are part and parcel of this country. Once recruited, they have been incorporated into an integrated training programme after completing 'the achievement phase'. They will be evaluated throughout the next five years to determine their job description and identify the right placement commensurate with their abilities and areas of creativity." * The National