Perks of penance for Saudi jihadis

BBC ^ | July 9 2008 | Shiraz Mahe Posted on 07/09/2008 3:51:10 AM PDT by Daffynition In a small compound on the outskirts of Riyadh, the Saudi government is exploring new ways to combat extremism. This is still a prison, run by the Ministry of Interior and housed inside secure premises with high perimeter walls and barbed wire, but the Saudi authorities prefer to call it a "care centre" and refer to prisoners as "beneficiaries". This is not what you would imagine when you think of a typical Saudi jail. Inside, prisoners enjoy access to wide-ranging recreational facilities including their own swimming pools, video games and table tennis. In return for the more relaxed environment, prisoners have to attend religious education classes where Islamic scholars challenge their views. The thinking behind the new initiative is to... [read full story]