Doing time outside jail

PRISONS are meant to isolate criminals as punishment for their crimes.

But is keeping these people behind bars for an extended period the best way to rehabilitate them?

It was recently reported that there are currently some 70,000 convicts in prisons nationwide.

Kedah Prisons Department deputy director Asst Comm Shirley Jungot noted that this figure exceeded the capacity of existing cells.

This raises concerns about overcrowding and the negative impact on inmates.

Building more prisons to house criminals is not the answer, ACP Shirley stressed.

“The cost is very high. Besides, too many prisons could give a negative impression to outsiders about our crime rates,” she said.

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She added that a new approach, one that would nurture and reform instead of punish, was the way forward.

“The convicts must be motivated to rejoin society. This can be achieved with cooperation from the community.”

ACP Shirley was a panellist during a talk at the National Prisons Department headquarters in Kajang, Selangor, in conjunction with the 232nd Prison Day celebration.

The talk, titled “Empowering Correctional Community”, featured five speakers and was moderated by Kluang Prisons Department director Deputy Comm Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail.

Soft landing

ACP Shirley said a programme called “Sistem Ibrahim” was introduced in the 1970s to allow convicts to take up community work outside of prison.

“Those who were sentenced to jail for more than a year were eligible to apply when they were due to be released.

“This system was expanded on in 2008 with the opening of 52 district parole offices nationwide.

“To date, some 43,000 parolees have been released. There are 5,474 parolees presently,” she said.

To qualify for parole, the convicts must also have served at least half of their sentences and received approvals from the parole board.

Prisoners convicted under the Fourth Schedule of the Prisons Act, 1995 (Act 537) are not eligible for parole.

These include those found guilty of waging or attempting to wage war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, a Ruler or the Yang di-Pertua Negeri.

Similarly, those convicted of giving false evidence to cause a person to be convicted and face the death penalty, or those found guilty of rape, unnatural intercourse or causing death, are ineligible.

In 2016, the Prisons Department embarked on a collaboration with the private sector to provide employment for parolees.

ACP Shirley said this involved companies from the manufacturing, service and plantation sectors.

“The employers provide accommodation and skills training.

“Some former convicts stayed on the job after completing their sentences,” she added.

On March 22, the Home Ministry announced a plan to have 10,000 convicts undergoing rehabilitation in community, including parolees.

This figure – up from 7,000 last year – is hoped to help fill the vacancies in industries and reduce dependency on foreign workers.

Panasonic Appliances Air Conditioning Malaysia Sdn Bhd has hired some 1,500 parolees since 2019, including some 500 who are currently employed.

Its human resource corporate director Datuk Mokhtar Mohd Salleh said the company was in the process of trying to get more workers from the Prisons Department.

“At our company, the parolees are treated equally despite their (chequered) past.

“They have a chance at promotion and training just like any other employee,” he said during the talk.

Second chance

Social activist Kuan Chee Heng said providing convicts with skills and jobs was only half the step in helping them to turn over a new leaf.

“What’s more important is that they must have the willpower to change.

“Support from family is crucial, too,” he said.

Kuan stressed that society must stop stigmatising such individuals if rehabilitation efforts were to succeed.

“Some people tend to treat these individuals differently because of their dark pasts.

“Such an attitude could demotivate those who are sincerely trying to improve their lives.

“Everyone makes mistakes. It is important that we give these individuals a second chance,” he said.

Islamic Development Department representative Mohd Meeftah Anuar shared Kuan’s sentiment, advising the public to tone down their judgement of former criminals.

Television host Siti Hasfizza Aswaty Sabjahab said the media played a role, too, in educating the public about the issue.

Tackling stigma

Commissioner-General of Prisons Datuk Nordin Muhamad said societal stigma and family rejection were major obstacles in the reintegration of former convicts into society.

“This is why we have trained officers to provide explanations to family members and encourage them to continue their relationships with the convict.

“Families can also book a phone call in addition to face-to-face meetings.

“All of these are important to keep former convicts from straying back to their old lives and (eventually) ensure a smooth transition back into the community,” he said.

Nordin added that various activities such as workshops and vocational training were conducted to prepare convicts for life outside of prison.

“They are offered training in pastry making, culinary arts, tailoring and furniture making as well as textile production.

“These activities are meant to modify their behaviour and inculcate good values,” he said during an interview with a television channel recently.

Nordin noted that the prisoners received certificates after completing the courses.

“This is important to help them after they are released,” he said.