Freedom Denied

Psychiatric patients trapped inside the forensic ward of “Al-Fuheis” Hospital in Jordan

Ola Al-Omlah

16 November 2025

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Ahmad Jamal and Omar Ziyad* are residents of the forensic ward at the National Center for Mental Health in Al-Fuheis. One has been held for more than three decades, while the other remains in limbo, awaiting a judge’s approval. Detention in the hospital’s forensic ward is unlike any other: there is no set release date, and even when patients are released, their personal freedom remains severely restricted.

This investigation draws on testimonies from former residents and two former staff members of the forensic ward, as well as insights from legal and mental health experts. The accounts reveal harsh detention conditions endured by inmates, in blatant violation of United Nations guidelines on mental health and the rights of persons with disabilities. Official documents obtained by our team also show that some residents remain confined even after achieving social recovery—either because they lack a guarantor or are awaiting reconciliation procedures.

In Ward “A,” the hours pass slowly for Ahmad*, who sits leaning against his iron bed. Every now and then, one of the ward’s eight residents breaks the silence with some noise, before quiet reigns supreme again.

This silence is punctuated only by the clatter of dishes in the dining hall, announcing the next meal. Meal times have become the only way to mark time in this place, where sunlight never penetrates.

More than three decades have passed, yet Ahmad Jamal* (65) remains detained behind locked doors in the forensic ward of Jordan’s National Center for Mental Health. Nearly 30 years ago, he committed a murder apparently caused by his mental illness. Yet his detention has now exceeded the length of a life sentence under Jordanian penal law.

According to accounts from those who knew him in the ward, Ahmad killed his father and has spent most of his life inside the facility—perhaps indefinitely—as his case remains tangled in legal ambiguities and conditions that make his release extremely difficult.

The Forensic Ward: A Fortified Facility

Just 16 kilometers from the Jordanian capital, Amman, the forensic ward of the National Center for Mental Health—known locally as Al-Fuheis Hospital—sits behind high walls crowned with barbed wire and fronted by imposing iron gates.

The National Center for Mental Health was established in 1987, and remains the only facility of its kind under the Ministry of Health. It encompasses three main sections: the National Center for Addiction Rehabilitation, the Karama (Dignity) Psychiatric Rehabilitation Ward—also known as Karama Hospital for Psychiatric Rehabilitation—and the newly established Forensic Ward.

The Forensic Ward was expanded in August 2021 to cover 6,196 square meters and accommodate 142 beds. However, according to official hospital records, it currently houses 96 residents, with occupancy at 100 percent.

The forensic ward is overseen by the National Center for Mental Health, which falls under the Ministry of Health; however, access requires a security clearance.

The first floor houses four wards, including Ward A, where Ahmad lives with the majority of the residents. The ward consists of six rooms—three on the right, three on the left—divided by a bathroom and a dining hall. Each room accommodates eight to ten residents.

Admissions to the forensic ward at the National Center for Mental Health require a judicial order, issued by the public prosecution or a judge. Upon admission, inmates undergo an initial assessment of their mental and psychological state, general awareness, understanding of court proceedings, and competence to stand trial.

Once a medical report is completed for the inmate, it is usually submitted to the court, which determines whether the individual is criminally responsible for the act they committed. If the court finds that the person was unaware of their actions and committed the offense due to their mental illness, it issues a ruling of criminal non-responsibility. The judge then orders the inmate’s placement in the National Center for Mental Health.

A former resident recounted that, according to Ahmad, when the judge declared him not criminally responsible, his sister began shouting, believing he would escape punishment. Lawyer Sakher Al-Khasawneh explains that a ruling of non-responsibility does not deny that the act occurred; rather, it removes criminal liability due to the individual’s mental state at the time of the offense—such as insanity, coercion, or being underage and unable to distinguish right from wrong.

Conditional Release

Overall, life in the forensic ward resembles imprisonment elsewhere, with the main difference being the lack of a set release date.

Those who commit an act due to a mental condition are admitted to the hospital as a precautionary measure until they achieve a so-called “social recovery.”

According to the National Center for Mental Health, a resident remains under medical supervision until social recovery is confirmed. Once the condition stabilizes and symptoms subside, and after the family commits to providing the necessary social care, the doctors must be satisfied that the patient does not pose a risk to public safety. A medical report detailing the resident’s latest status is then submitted to the relevant court. The court then decides whether to release the resident or continue their detention.

Dr. Alaa Al-Frokh, President of the Jordanian Psychiatric Association, defines “social recovery” as a legal term referring to patients who committed a crime due to a mental condition. It denotes the subsiding of the illness’s symptoms rather than a full recovery —that is, when the patient no longer poses a risk to themselves or to society. Consequently, they may leave the forensic ward and return to a normal life, provided they continue to take their prescribed medication after discharge.

Regarding precautionary measures, Al-Khasawneh explains that those are linked to the patient achieving social recovery from mental illness. The patient must obtain a medical report from three public-sector doctors specializing in psychiatry and mental health, which is then submitted to the court to determine whether the patient should be released.

Recovery Alone is Not Enough

The disappearance of symptoms alone is not enough to secure an inmate’s release. Asir Amer* — a former resident who spent nearly 12 years in the forensic ward — confirmed that the absence of a guarantor can pose an obstacle in some cases.

It remains unclear whether Ahmad has formally reached a state of social recovery, but those we spoke with say his condition is stable — though he has yet to secure a guarantor.

Amer explains that Ahmad has two daughters who were raised away from him, and are now married, but neither has taken on the role of his guarantor.

Amer* recounts stories of other residents whose release was hindered by the lack of a guarantor: “There was another patient who had only one brother, but he refused to act as his guarantor.”

According to Amer, he repeatedly requested a transfer to the civil ward (Al-Karama Psychiatric Rehabilitation Hospital) and he even went on a hunger strike to push for his case, but was told that he had no guarantor. The requirement of a guarantor does not convince Amer*: “Is a guarantor really that important? I mean, look at me — I got out, and honestly, no one helped me.”

Hussein Al-Najjar, President of Tafaaoul, a Jordan-based organization advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities, confirms that there are cases in which individuals have reached a state of social recovery but were not released due to the absence of a guarantor. He explains that the governor can transfer such residents to the Karama Ward, but in practice, enforcing this law is extremely difficult.

Residents of Jordan’s forensic ward are governed by a patchwork of laws, in the absence of a dedicated mental health statute, including the Jordanian Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Article 3 of this law defines long-term impairments in mental or psychological functioning as a ‘disability.’

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Dr. Muhannad Al-Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), confirms that there have been documented cases in the forensic ward — and even in the Karama Psychiatric Rehabilitation Ward (treatment ward) at Al-Fuheis Hospital — where individuals remained incarcerated in the Forensic Ward for many years because their families refused to take responsibility for them. This is despite the Jordanian Law on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities explicitly prohibiting forced institutionalization in any hospital or center against a person’s will and freedom.

He adds, “Sometimes families disappear completely. Some give false contact information so we cannot reach them… We hear that doctors want to discharge residents because the hospital is not a shelter, but the families refuse to cooperate.”

The severity of mental illnesses among inmates in the forensic ward varies. According to Dr. Alaa Al-Frokh, President of the Jordanian Psychiatric Association, some mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, can cause a resident to relapse if medication is interrupted. In these cases, a guarantor is needed to ensure treatment continues after release.

Asir Amer recalls, “One resident who had been released committed suicide a few months ago. He didn’t know how to manage his injections properly and relapsed because he wasn’t taking them correctly… He faced serious difficulties; his family was against him. I used to tell him to be patient and hang on — it was enough that you have made it out of the situation you were in. Then suddenly, his mother called me to say he had taken his own life. Honestly, I did not expect that.”

“ Omar is Ready for Discharge ”

Omar Ziad* is going through experiences similar to those of Ahmad — but unlike him, he has genuine social support from his family.”

Just a few weeks ago, Omar was allowed to visit his bedridden father for no more than ten minutes under tight security—after which the doors of the forensic ward closed behind him once again.

Sahar says that her brother Omar has been living with mental illness for 15 years, but it has never affected his life. She notes that he experienced three relapses during this time, the most recent after his doctor reduced his medication dosage. According to her, his condition worsened because of being separated from his children and unable to see them for an extended period.

As for the day of the incident, Sahar insists that her brother did not intentionally commit a crime. According to the case file, after the dawn prayer, the victim — who had not known Omar before — was surprised to find him sitting in his vehicle, leading to a verbal altercation. Omar stepped out and saw a weapon in the victim’s hand, which he managed to seize before stabbing him in the neck. Sahar provides a similar account: one night, while returning from work to Amman, Omar got lost and parked his car on a piece of land until morning. There, the landowner unexpectedly attacked him with a shibriyeh (a traditional dagger), injuring his eye.

Sahar explains that the sight of blood caused Omar to lose control. As he attempted to drive away, he ran over the victim multiple times without being aware of it.

Sahar says, ‘We were told he was dead, not just injured. The doctor said we were dealing with a case that was already beyond help.’

Sahar recounts with deep emotion what happened to her brother that night, explaining that the victim's sons also attacked him, hurling stones at him and beating him severely.The assault left him with skull fractures and multiple serious injuries across his body, sending him into a coma for more than three months. He remained in a hospital for a year before being transferred to the forensic ward.

This investigation’s reporter obtained Omar’s case file, which confirmed that he was not criminally responsible for several felonies, including murder and torture. A court ruling ordered his placement in the National Center for Mental Health Hospital until a medical committee certified his social recovery.

Later, a letter from the director of the National Center for Mental Health Hospital stated that the convicted individual had been suffering from schizophrenia and was experiencing a relapse. However, he underwent treatment, and his condition stabilized. The letter also noted that he had social support and met the criteria for social recovery, and that he no longer posed a danger to himself or others, justifying his release from the forensic ward. According to the doctors, his family expressed their willingness to welcome him back and provide the necessary care.

However, the court took his social circumstances into consideration—particularly that he is separated from his wife and lives alone—and noted that failure to adhere to his treatment could trigger a health relapse, potentially endangering public safety. Consequently, the court decided to continue his detention.

Sahar adds that her brother’s separation from his ex-wife is not related to his illness. She says that the judicial authorities attributed the continuation of his detention to the absence of reconciliation and other undisclosed reasons. She also noted that the doctors mentioned none of these reasons. Sahar explained that her brother has family support, with his family — including three sisters and both parents — committed to taking him in and overseeing his affairs. Meanwhile, the judicial authorities have asked the family to wait another six months for a final decision on his case.

Sahar wonders how she can endure another six months: ‘These days, freedom is so precious to people—how can we wait six more months?’

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“As soon as I took care of it, I didn’t stay longer than a month or two before leaving. I was just waiting for the procedures to be complete.”

Asir Amer was not just a former inmate; he witnessed other reasons that prevented his release.. Asir spent more than 12 years in the forensic ward after committing murder while suffering mental illness, even though he had reached social recovery after nearly five years. Some residents remain in the ward despite reaching social recovery because the condition of reconciliation with the victims’ families has not been met. Asir says, “As soon as I was rehabilitated, I didn’t stay longer than a month or two waiting for the procedures to be completed — I was ready to go home.”

Lawyer Sakher Al-Khasawneh explains that Jordanian law does not contain any provision requiring reconciliation with the victims’ families or the presence of a guarantor for the release of inmates deemed not criminally responsible. However, the issue intersects with the administrative governor’s exercise of authority amid conflicting legislation—such as in the case of forensic ward inmates, where several laws overlap. One of these is the Jordanian Crime Prevention Law, which grants the governor a range of powers, including detention as a preventive measure in certain cases, particularly when reconciliation or a guarantor is lacking.

Lawyer Al-Khasawneh adds that the geographical area in which the administrative governor operates often compels him to require a reconciliation agreement between the resident and the victim's family. This is done as a precaution against potential retaliatory measures, despite the absence of any direct legal provision on the matter.

Asir Amer, the former resident, says, “Society doesn’t understand the term mental illness. To the victim’s family, I was simply a criminal and a murderer. They would say, ‘Let him suffer for as long as possible…’ They wanted me to remain detained. They don’t call it a hospital—they call it a prison.”

By contrast, Shaker Abdul Rahman* spent around 22 years in the forensic ward of the National Center for Mental Health after committing a crime while experiencing a chronic mental illness. Despite two decades passing since the incident and a court ruling of non-responsibility, his family could not reconcile with the victim's relatives. As a result, he has remained in the ward this entire time.

His brother says, “The last time I visited him, his thumb was black and decayed — completely rotten. But to their credit, the center transferred him to the hospital immediately.”

The lack of reconciliation was not the only reason Abdul Rahman remained deprived of his freedom for more than two decades. According to medical assessments, he had also not reached the stage of “social recovery,” a requirement for release from the forensic ward. It was only recently that Abdul Rahman’s situation changed: he developed gangrene, which led to the amputation of his leg and his subsequent release. His case raises questions about the level of medical care in the forensic ward, especially in light of the ongoing shortage of nursing staff.

A previous report we prepared on nursing staff at the National Center for Mental Health showed a decline in the number of mental health nurses in Jordan compared with neighboring countries. The figure stood at just 3.3 nurses per 100,000 people.

The suffering of inmates in the forensic ward goes beyond detention conditions. Many have reported medical neglect, particularly dental problems, which are a known side effect of psychiatric medications. Although the ward has a dental clinic, it provides only basic treatments; more complex dental care requires transferring the resident to a hospital, a process often complicated by difficult and restrictive procedures.

In Amer’s case, he went months without a proper night’s sleep. Recalling his ordeal, he says, “I swear to God, for nine months I couldn’t sleep day or night. The only time I could rest was when I was out, away from the isolation cells.” A relative of another resident echoes his experience: “The place is basically a prison, and their health care is terrible. They don’t really look after him — they just give him an injection. He even lost his teeth due to the lack of care.”

Under the Medical and Health Liability Law, service providers are prohibited from refusing emergency care or discontinuing treatment under any circumstances, unless the recipient violates regulations or circumstances beyond the provider's control make refusal necessary.

This investigation’s reporter received a response from the Minister of Health regarding the complaint filed by Hussein Al-Najjar, head of the administrative board of the Tafaaoul Association for the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, concerning the detention of individuals in the forensic ward who meet the criteria for social recovery.

Former Health Minister Firas Al-Hawari explained that without reconciliation, a resident who committed a crime remains at risk of retaliation from the victim's family, preventing any social rehabilitation. In some cases, there is no family support at all—the resident's own relatives refuse to take him in, fearing he might reoffend, particularly if he abandons treatment and experiences a relapse.

Bassem Al-Rawabdeh, a member of the Public Freedoms and Human Rights Committee in the Jordanian House of Representatives, confirmed after visiting the forensic ward that there are inmates who meet the criteria for social recovery. Following this, he addressed the Speaker of the House to submit a question to the Minister of Justice regarding inmates in the forensic ward who met these criteria in 2023–2024. He also requested information on the material and financial costs the government incurs due to the continued detention and housing of these residents.

Copy of the letter sent by H.E MP Basem Al Rawabdeh to the Parliament of Representatives, addressed to the Minister of Justice

“I would rather serve 60 years in prison than spend a single year in the forensic ward”

Those inmates held in the forensic ward are officially referred to as ‘residents or inmates’. However, their living conditions differ significantly from what the term implies.

Residents or inmates deemed not criminally responsible are held in the forensic ward as a precautionary measure for treatment and recovery—not as punishment. This requires an appropriate therapeutic environment.

The detention conditions of the inmates or residents in the forensic ward, which was established as part of an expansion process in 2012 and completed in 2015, do not differ from those of regular prisoners. This is contrary to the United Nations’ recommendations on the principles for the protection of persons with mental and psychological illnesses. The inmates are confined in locked ‘wards’ under strict security, unlike the conditions in the old section, where residents were held for nine years during the expansion of the current forensic ward. According to former inmates, they are not allowed to engage in any activities, despite the announcement made when the ward was opened that there is a gym and recreational halls.Jamil* (who previously worked in the forensic ward) describes Ward “A” by saying: “In a single room, there are three windows, all covered with metal bars that block the view completely.” He adds that whenever he enters the ward, he can’t stay there for long: “There’s a damp smell that makes you feel suffocated.” He points out that there is a large courtyard connected to every ward, but during his years of work, the inmates were never allowed to use it: “There are iron chairs covered with wood and a water fountain. The courtyards are spacious but completely abandoned.”

According to Jamil’s account, which aligns with the accounts of several people we interviewed, the inmates rarely see sunlight: 'Sun rays sneak in for a short time; the place lacks natural sunlight.'

MP Al-Rawabdeh described the condition of the department under the center as 'very poor,' based on his observations.

Similarly, nurse Adam Aziz confirms: ‘In the past, the forensic ward had a small capacity—around 60 patients. They used to leave the ward at 7 a.m. or during breakfast and would stay out until after 7 p.m., spending time in the garden. Nowadays, however, they are allowed outside only according to prison regulations—maybe an hour of sun exposure—before being brought back in.’

The United Nations Principles on the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness stipulate that their environment and living conditions in psychiatric facilities—including those serving prison sentences for criminal acts—should be as close as possible to normal life, with access to recreational facilities and opportunities for social interaction.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in its guide for Prisoners with Special Needs, advises against establishing prison hospitals for individuals with mental illnesses.

"Building prison hospitals for mental illnesses is not considered cost-effective due to the high operating costs, limited capacity, and low release rates. They often impose a severe and lasting stigma on the individual. Many of them operate outside the scope of health authorities responsible for monitoring the quality of medical interventions."

In its second annual report on the situation and rights of persons with disabilities for 2019–2020, the Supreme Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities noted that the National Center for Mental Health had set up a ‘five-star’ therapeutic ward with full recreational and entertainment facilities. In contrast, other wards resemble prisons, with protective bars like those on cells, according to participants in a focus group. Even though a new judicial ward opened in 2021, its prison-like conditions remain unchanged."

Asir says, “I went to the prison and stayed there before being transferred to Al-Fuheis by court order. It was like a prison—the same, with a prison gate.”

As for Jamil, who is accustomed to dealing with the inmates and acknowledges having a good relationship with them, he finds the idea of living permanently with some inmates —many of whom are at risk of psychological relapse at any moment—exhausting. He says, ‘I’d rather be imprisoned for 60 years than spend one year in the judicial ward.’

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No Contact

A former resident confirmed that Ahmed’s sister used to visit him monthly and give him a small amount of money, no more than thirty dinars. Sometimes, he would wash the clothes of other residents for ten qirsh to meet his needs. However, the visits stopped after her passing.

Khalaf regularly visits his son Mansour. He travels a long distance to see him for no more than fifteen minutes.During this time, he is also allowed to help him bathe.

Mansour, a man in his thirties with a chronic mental illness, has been held in the forensic ward for 15 years after committing a murder, while his brother is also detained at the Al-Karama Center due to a chronic mental illness.

Another resident, who shared his experience with Mansour, said that Mansour had previously attempted suicide due to repeated relapses. He also mentioned that Mansour needs close medical care and monitoring, as well as a therapeutic environment better than the forensic ward, to improve his condition.

He adds, “He used to sleep in the bathroom, and his entire head and skin were infested with scabies. His father would commute a long distance every week just to be allowed to bathe and clean him.”

Although Mansour holds a reconciliation document, he remains confined in the forensic ward. The detainee questions Mansour’s situation: “He’s very sick—why is he still in the forensic ward?! If only they would transfer him to his brother’s care, it would help both him and his father.” He adds, “He’s mentally ill—does he really need to be in prison? He needs a proper environment, like everyone else.”

Omar’s sister confirms that strict restrictions are in place regarding calls and visits to the forensic ward. She is allowed to visit him three times a week, each visit lasting no more than fifteen minutes, and to speak with him on the phone for three minutes, only once a week.

The Fine Line Between Freedom, Treatment, and Justice

Residents of the forensic ward are held by decision of the judicial authority. The mandate of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is limited to documenting any unlawful decisions issued by executive bodies and intervening to address the identified problems and violations.

According to Muhannad Al-Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), some individuals feign mental illness to escape responsibility for crimes they committed. Such individuals need to be kept in secure facilities to prevent escape. He notes that this is one of the reasons why the forensic ward operates more like a place of detention than a hospital. This, he stresses, underscores the need to evaluate each resident’s case and personal needs individually before deciding on their placement.

Dr. Alaa Al-Frokh, President of the Jordanian Psychiatric Association, explains that distinguishing between someone feigning mental illness and a genuine psychiatric patient is not an easy task. Patients, he says, are, therefore, placed under medical supervision and subjected to psychological and cognitive examinations, as well as personality assessments, over a significant period of time to reach a conclusive diagnosis.

Muhannad Al-Azzeh, Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities (HCD), argues that the standards for establishing the forensic ward need to be reconsidered. While the ward houses ‘offenders,’ it also accommodates individuals with chronic mental disabilities who require a different therapeutic environment. Some have remained there for years, and their stay may extend even further until they achieve social recovery, reach a reconciliation agreement, or secure a guarantor.

Al-Azzeh notes that he visited both the National Center for Mental Health Hospital and the forensic ward, acknowledging a striking similarity between the two, with one significant difference: the room windows are covered with iron bars pierced by tiny openings that barely let in any light.

Moreover, the forensic ward does not offer psychological support or counseling to address and modify residents' criminal behavior, which would enable them to adapt and reintegrate into society once they achieve social recovery.According to former residents, the social worker’s role in the ward is limited to coordinating and arranging phone calls between residents and their families, rather than providing support to improve and rehabilitate their mental and behavioral condition.

Al-Rawabdeh says: ‘[The resident] is basically treated like a prisoner!... There’s no care from any authority—he’s just someone who eats and drinks. He needs proper care, whether from the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, or anybody that at least tries to help him reach a stage of treatment.’

He questions why the resident’s freedom remains restricted, despite a report by a committee of three doctors confirming his social recovery. He argues that responsibility falls on the Ministry of Social Development, which should provide care for these residents if their families abandon them.

Complications Exacerbated by Lack of Mental Health Legislation

According to a 2025 study titled “The Burden of Mental Disorders in Jordan: An Ecological Study Over Three Decades,” Jordan saw a 280% increase in mental disorder cases between 1990 and 2021, with nearly two million (1,953,087) cases recorded in 2021. Another study published in 2024 and conducted by the Jordanian Ministry of Health in collaboration with the World Health Organization,“Prevention and Management of Mental Health Conditions in Jordan: The Case for Investment,” found that the cost of treating mental disorders in 2023 amounted to approximately 251.8 million Jordanian dinars (355.1 million USD)—or 0.75% of the country’s GDP.

Jordan’s mental health sector faces major challenges, most notably a shortage of specialized staff and an insufficient number of beds in psychiatric care facilities. The country has 5.9 beds per 100,000 people—well below the global average (11 beds in 2020), according to the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Atlas 2020.

The Jordanian Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, launched the National Action Plan for Mental Health and Addiction 2022–2026, reflecting its commitment to strengthening integrated community-based mental health services. However, Jordan has yet to pass a dedicated mental health law, despite recommendations in the National Center for Human Rights’ 2023 parallel report urging the government to introduce legislation that guarantees high-quality mental health services.

According to the World Health Organization’s Mental Health Atlas 2020 report, about 75 percent of member states have an independent mental health policy or plan. Meanwhile, 51 percent of member states have fully aligned their mental health policies or plans with international and regional human rights instruments.

Notwithstanding what is stated in any other law, the person sentenced to life imprisonment with hard labor or life detention shall be released if they have served thirty years of the sentence.

Jordanian Penal Code, Article 20

Whoever is sentenced to detention in a correctional facility shall be placed in a hospital accredited for this purpose by the Minister of Interior, and shall be provided the care that their condition requires.
If a person sentenced to a custodial or preventive penalty is proven to have become mentally ill during the execution of the sentence, they shall be held in the hospital mentioned in the previous paragraph and receive appropriate care. The detention period shall not exceed the remaining portion of the sentence unless the convicted person poses a danger to public safety.

Jordanian Penal Code, Article 29

Whoever is exempted from punishment under the previous paragraph shall be committed to a psychiatric hospital until a medical committee report confirms their recovery and that they no longer pose a threat to public safety.

Jordanian Penal Code, Article 92 – Paragraph 2

If the patient is cured or their condition allows discharge from the hospital, the doctor, with the approval of the hospital director, shall discharge the patient and inform their relatives of the discharge date. However, if the admission was by court order, the court must be informed of the patient's recovery.

Public Health Law, Article 16

Persons found not criminally responsible or later diagnosed with severe mental or intellectual disabilities and/or mental health problems must not be held in prisons if continued imprisonment would worsen their condition. They shall be transferred to mental health facilities as soon as possible.
Other prisoners with mental disabilities and/or mental illnesses, if necessary, shall be placed under supervision and treatment in specialized facilities under the care of qualified healthcare professionals.

Article 109 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
(Nelson Mandela Rules)

Building psychiatric prison hospitals is not cost-effective due to their high operating costs, limited capacity, low release rates, and often severe and lasting stigma attached to the individual. Many operate outside the health authorities responsible for overseeing the quality of health interventions. Moreover, there is no evidence that these expensive hospitals improve treatment outcomes. Instead, they may expose prisoners to risks of human rights violations.

When prisoners require urgent care, they should be temporarily transferred to psychiatric wards in general hospitals with appropriate security levels. According to the principle of non-institutionalization, the establishment of specialized psychiatric prison hospitals is strongly discouraged.

When family visits are difficult due to the distance between the detention facility and home, longer visiting hours should be allowed to compensate for less frequent visits. Additional phone calls should be permitted, with costs covered when resources allow, and detainees must be enabled to maintain regular contact with family and friends through visits, correspondence, and temporary release for family visits when necessary.

UNODC Handbook_on_Prisoners_with_Special_Needs

Freedom of communication includes the freedom to communicate with other persons in the facility, send and receive private correspondence without censorship, receive visits with guaranteed privacy from a lawyer or personal representative and other visitors at reasonable times, and access postal and telephone services, newspapers, radio, and television.

Paragraph (c) of Principle 13 of the UN Principles for the Protection of Persons with Mental Illness and the Improvement of Mental Health Care

Government and non-government organizations providing residential, day-care, and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities must allow families and relatives to access and visit these facilities at any time.

Paragraph 5, Subparagraph (a), Article 28 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law No. (20) of 2017

The Secretary-General of the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Muhannad Al-Azzeh, believes that in their current form, the Public Health Law, the Penal Code, and the Code of Criminal Procedure do not enable persons with psychosocial disabilities to exercise their right to make choices and decisions.

Al-Azzeh states that the law explicitly prohibits the involuntary admission of any individual to a hospital or center against their will. However, he notes that many cases are still governed by the outdated Public Health Law, which contains problematic provisions on involuntary admission that need to be amended.

In March 2007, Jordan signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), adopted by the United Nations in 2006, and officially ratified the Convention in 2008. This makes Jordan legally and formally obligated to implement its provisions and to amend its domestic laws to comply with them.

The investigation’s reporter submitted a request to the Ministry of Health to interview the director of the National Center for Mental Health (Fuheis Hospital), as well as the head of the hospital’s forensic ward. She also requested an interview with the director of the Directorate of Disability and Mental Health at the Ministry of Health to seek clarification regarding the findings of the investigation. Additionally, a request was submitted to the Judicial Council to interview its Secretary-General. However, no responses had been received from any of the mentioned parties by the time this report was published.

According to a former resident, Ahmad has not lost hope and believes that one day his two daughters will act as his guarantors. Yet, he wonders: “How can someone who has been confined for so many years—whose only connection to the outside world was a television in the dining hall and an old radio, surrounded by psychiatric patients, and visited by doctors just once a week—ever adapt to life beyond this place?”

He adds that Ahmad will undoubtedly keep his eyes closed for a long time before he becomes accustomed to sunlight—and even longer before he learns to live with freedom again.

“One time he told me, ‘Come spend a night here, and you’ll see what it’s really like for me inside.’”

This investigation was carried out with the support of ARIJ

This investigation was completed with support from ARIJ:

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