Alternatives to prison sentences for criminal offenders are being considered in Bahrain, it has emerged.

House arrest and mediation are among new avenues being explored, Public Prosecutor Dr Ali bin Fadhel Al Buainain told the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He said mediation in less serious cases in particular would ease the pressure on the Public Prosecution, allowing it to dedicate more time to serous crime.

"Fighting crime is not only done through jail sentences and fines, but there are new ideas that are currently under discussion," he said.

"There are other punishments we are considering like house arrest and even appointing mediators to help out in conflicts such as arguments between neighbours, instead of it reaching the court.

"In this way the issue will be resolved in a better social manner and ease pressure on the Public Prosecution.

"Other cases where this is possible is in family feuds or insult cases."

Alternative punishments were among topics discussed yesterday on the first day of an annual conference of public prosecutors from around the world. The International Executive Committee meeting for the Public Prosecutors Society continues today at the Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa.

Bahrain and the UAE are the only two Arab countries to be represented on the society's executive committee.

Dr Al Buainain, who is a member of the executive committee, revealed efforts by Bahrain's Public Prosecution to create a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to probe police complaints were also highlighted.

"Bahrain discussed in the conference the SIU, which was presented as a model to question policemen and authority who misuse their position in connection to torture or mistreatment," he said.

The meeting will be followed by a workshop on protecting human rights in criminal justice procedures at the Judicial and Law Studies Institute on Saturday and Sunday (April 11 and 12). - TradeArabia News Service