From Dh150 up to Dh750: Dubai residents can buy handcrafted items made by inmates

Residents in Dubai have the chance to support inmates at correctional facilities by purchasing handmade products created within prison workshops. Available at locations such as Al Awir’s correctional institutions and these items are more than just decorative pieces; they are symbols of resilience and second chances. The revenue from these sales is used to give the opportunity to remain active and productive during their sentence while helping support their families and themselves from within prison walls.

Dubai’s penal system currently operates eight main workshops that focus on trades including carpentry, blacksmithing, painting, upholstery, tailoring, laundry, and dedicated rooms for laser work and engraving.

One of the most established areas is the carpentry workshop, where inmates learn to work with wood and produce everything from furniture to finely crafted art pieces. Many of these handcrafted items were displayed at the World Police Summit running from May 13 to 15.

The items for sale, ranging from Dh150 to Dh750, include detailed ship models, laser-engraved wooden displays, and traditional incense burner stands, all of which are designed and assembled by inmates who take part in specialised vocational programmes. These workshops are active year-round and focus on developing trades that can benefit inmates both inside and outside the facility.

Bridging the gap between rehabilitation and community support, First Lieutenant Khalifa Obaid Al Shamsi, Head of the Marketing and Finance Department at the Correctional Facilities, explained that the initiative reflects a deeper vision to restore dignity and purpose to the lives of those who have made mistakes.

“This initiative gives inmates the opportunity to rebuild their sense of purpose while contributing something of value to society,” he told Khaleej Times on the sidelines of the summit. “It’s about restoring dignity to those who are trying to change.”

“These spaces go beyond just teaching skills,” Lt. Al Shamsi explained. “They’re rehabilitative environments. Inmates aren’t just serving time; they’re learning how to make that time matter.”

Within that space, the laser room stands out as a hub of innovation and detail. Inmates are trained to use laser machines to engrave designs, logos, and intricate emblems onto wooden surfaces. “This gives them hands-on experience with modern machinery,” Al Shamsi said. “It elevates the quality of the products and also provides them with technical know-how they can use after their release.”

Permanent exhibitions of the inmates’ work are available to the public within the correctional institutions in Al Awir, as well as at Global Village, where a dedicated shop is located at the Cultural Gate near the entrance. Temporary exhibitions are also held throughout the year at various national and international events. According to Lt. Al Shamsi, “We’re open to participating in exhibitions upon request. Schools, government, and private entities are welcome to invite us to showcase the inmates’ work.”