Penal code amendments to introduce electronic monitoring, fines as alternatives to Jail

AMMAN — Minister of Justice Bassam Talhouni on Tuesday announced that proposed amendments to the Penal Code aim to ease prison overcrowding by expanding the use of alternative sentences. 

Talhouni highlighted that the Kingdom’s prison occupancy rate has reached 180 percent, underscoring the need for reform,  Al Mamlaka TV reported. 

Talhouni highlighted electronic monitoring bracelets as a key alternative, allowing authorities to track offenders remotely. He stressed that these measures would not apply to serious crimes but would facilitate social reconciliation between complainants and defendants within a broader framework of alternative sentencing.

The amendments would also allow offenders serving short sentences to pay a fine in exchange for early release, provided they have demonstrated good behavior during incarceration, he added.

The Cabinet has approved the rationale for the 2025 Penal Code amendment, paving the way for its submission to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau for further review and expedited issuance.

The draft law seeks to expand alternative sanctions, increase the number of beneficiaries, and align with restorative and rehabilitative justice principles. These measures aim to reintegrate offenders into society and reduce recidivism.

Additionally, the amendments introduce provisions for suspending sentence execution after final judgments and granting judges the authority to defer or allow installment payments of fines. These changes are designed to ease the burden on minor offenders and alleviate prison overcrowding.