The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has taken part in the Liwa Date Festival by exhibiting items produced by inmates, a WAM report published on July 23, 2026 said. The display focuses on dates cultivated at the centres, aligning with the festival’s theme. This move allows the department to highlight its ongoing work in prisoner reform and skill-building.
According to the Abu Dhabi Media Office, the festival, patronised by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, runs from July 14 to 23, 2026 in Liwa City. It serves as a major celebration of the region’s date heritage with auctions, cultural shows and family activities. The ADJD’s involvement adds a dimension of social responsibility to the popular event. Officials have invited the public to visit the department’s stand during the remaining days.
ADJD Undersecretary Yousef Saeed Al Abri has stressed that the academic training program for inmates supports directions aimed at enhancing community security. Al Abri explained that the inmates’ rehabilitation program for the labor market has contributed over the past years to reducing the rate of recidivism by about double compared to other inmates. He added that graduates receive a certificate of achievement and a certificate of good conduct. They will be followed up after their release to find job opportunities.
The program is provided in cooperation with the Higher Colleges of Technology as part of broader efforts to facilitate inmates joining jobs and integrating into society, a LinkedIn post from the ADJD detailed. Agricultural projects within the correctional centres form one component of this vocational training. The resulting products, including dates, are then showcased at prominent festivals to raise awareness.
A June 2025 event marking World Inmate Day similarly focused on successful partnerships and innovative programs supporting inmate rehabilitation and social reintegration, the National Rehabilitation Centre reported. Such initiatives reflect the ADJD’s application of best international practices in care and reintegration. The participation at the Liwa Date Festival is the latest example of these programs reaching the wider community.
The festival itself forms part of the larger Liwa International Festival series that also features events in the winter season from December 2025 to January 2026, the official festival site indicated. This summer edition concentrates on the date industry that is vital to the Al Dhafra region’s economy and culture. By including the ADJD’s contribution, the event organisers have recognised the role of rehabilitation in building a cohesive society.
