Why prisoners should learn to be good sports

Officials discuss the many links – both positive and negative – between sport and crime.

DUBAI // Sport's role in preventing crime will be put into play at a conference in November.

The third International Sport Versus Crime Conference, hosted by Dubai Police, will feature local and international researchers and crime-prevention professionals.

It will include a focus on the use of sport in reforming prisoners.

"This is part of our strategic objectives to prevent crime," said Brig Gen Mattar Khamis al Mezaina, of Dubai Police.

"We have implemented different campaigns targeting different age groups - whether it's walks or games, we have maintained many sports programmes."

One such programme, adopted in 2004, targeted Dubai prisons and detention centres.

"Since 2004 we have adopted sports programmes to help inmates in the rehabilitation process and we have developed competitions and prizes for them," he said.

"Emirati inmates, especially, have taken up body building as their sport of choice and we have even seen some of them compete after their detention period and stay on track."

A paper presented in 2009 by Capt Hamza Juma al Meil, of the Dubai Police sport affairs administration, showed the positive effects of various sports at drug rehabilitation units and detention centres. Capt al Meil said inmates showed physical and disciplinary improvements.

But his research also demonstrated a need to involve sociologists and psychologists in the rehabilitation process. He added that the programmes should be expanded to juvenile centres.

The conference will also discuss crime at sporting events. A paper presented in 2009 by Dr Saud Salim al Junaibi, of the Abu Dhabi Police College, found that while there were laws dealing with crimes such as hooliganism, drug peddling and crowd incitement, authorities had failed to implement them.

"The increase in sport-related crime in the local league is due to the fact that authorities have not been active [in issuing] preventive rulings or measures; therefore, the need for a sport-law court is necessary to stop the increase of such crimes," Dr al Junaiby said in his paper.

The conference will take place between November 22 and 24 in Dubai. Researchers and academics are being encouraged to present new papers for discussion.