RFC, PSD partner to screen films for inmates in detention

AMMAN —  The Royal Film Commission – Jordan (RFC) will be screening a number of Jordanian and international films at all correctional and rehabilitation centres across the Kingdom, Nada Doumani, RFC communication and cultural programming manager, said. 

The step will be taken as part of the RFC’s project "Cinema for all", Doumani stated, adding that this aims to show that cinema is not designed for a specific segment of society. 

“We have screened a number of movies like the Jordanian movies Theeb and United. This is a very important project that gives detainees an escape to breathe,” she told The Jordan Times.

The RFC and Public Security Directorate (PSD), represented by the management of the correctional and rehabilitation centres, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the RFC’s premises, stipulating that films will be screened at all correctional and rehabilitation centres across the Kingdom, except for Al Muwaqqar 2 Centre.  

The project falls within the Directorate’s aim to offer various activities inside the centres to help rehabilitate inmates and prepare them to reintegrate into society. In addition, cinema will help to alleviate the physiological impact of confinement, sometimes for long periods of time, according to an RFC statement sent to The Jordan Times.

The RFC official commended the cooperation of the PSD in making this project happen.  

“We express our gratefulness to the strategy of the PSD which facilitated the organisation of this project. Especially as it is very rare to see similar activities take place,” she added. 

The RFC is screening a collection of movies fitting the selection criteria of the activities to be carried out inside the correctional and rehabilitation centres, according to Doumani. 

 Since 2017, the RFC has screened 26 movies in 15 correctional and rehabilitation centres in Marka, Jweideh, Umm Al Lulu, Al Muwaqqar 1, Karak, Maan, Tafileh, Birin, Aqaba, Rmeimeen, Irbid, Swaqa, Zarqa and Al Balqa, as well as in the correctional and rehabilitation centre for women, according to the statement.

A total of 1,800 inmates have attended the screenings, with around 76 attendees per screening session.