Making handicrafts in workshops doesn’t only help pass the time for inmates at Dubai Central Prison but it can also net them an income that can go towards settling debts or even supporting families.
In workshops abuzz with activity in the Al Aweer correctional facility, convicts build everything from furniture to trinkets and even motorbikes - all of which end up going on sale in places across Dubai and online.
Major Adel Jumaa Mubarak, head of inmates affairs at the general punitive and correctional department, Ministry of Interior, said that allowing prisoners to make things and do something constructive with their time is one way of rehabilitating them.
“They are not here only for the punishment - that is an old-fashioned concept. These inmates are part of families that wait for their return, and the prison aims to help them return reformed and skilled with a craft that can help them make a living,” said the major.
The wide range of products they make, including office desks, dining and coffee tables, chairs, toys, jewellery boxes and clothes, are being sold at major outlets in Dubai, such as Global Village, Carrefour supermarkets and bazaars organised by government and private institutions.
Maj Mubarak said that the items are also posted for sale on social media by Dubai Police so people can browse an extensive range of high-quality products that can even be ordered online via the police website and mobile app.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed Thani Al Falasi, director of supplies and services at the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Establishments, about 150 of the 2,000 prison population are involved in making the items and five per cent of the profit from their sale gets distributed back to them. This is in addition to the prisoners modest monthly salary of Dh250.
“They also get numerous supportive gifts and we try to provide them with anything they need. If any of them have served their term and need a ticket to fly home, we provide him with one, if any of them have an outstanding fine or blood money, we also help pay it,” said Lt Col Al Falasi.
Lieutenant Ali Abdullah, who supervises the workshops, said that the door is always open for any inmate who wants to be involved.
“It’s optional and even those who come to us and do not have any knowledge or experience, we train them well before they join the workforce at the workshops,” he said, adding that recently they have teamed up with Al Futtaim, which provided the jail with motorbikes used to teach prisoners how to assemble and fix them.
Last week, the General Department of Punitive and Correctional Institutions at the Ministry of Interior organised an exhibition of the products made by inmates from across the UAE. It was held on the sidelines of the International Day of Prisoners celebration and included a number of handicrafts, traditional products, accessories, carpentry, furniture and other items.
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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
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The UAE volunteers campaign can be reached at www.volunteers.ae , or by calling 800-VOLAE (80086523), or emailing info@volunteers.ae.
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Men:
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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