Private prisons to cut overcrowding

KAJANG: The government is mulling adopting the privately-managed prison concept to solve the overcrowding problem in jails.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman says if the concept proves to be a feasible solution, the prisons are likely to house low-to-medium risk inmates.

He said Malaysia’s 38 prisons could only hold about 52,000 inmates.

“The jails are now at 40% overcapacity.

“Hopefully, this (concept) would help minimise overcrowding in our jails as well as the stress on government coffers, ” he said when closing the Prison Reform Colloquium at the Prisons Department Headquarters here.

Mohd Azis said he had seen the operation of privately-managed prisons during a recent working trip to Britain.

“I have tasked the Prisons Department with looking into the feasibility of having a similar concept in the country.

“Maintaining and managing prisons is expensive as we also need to consider operational costs as well as the welfare of both staff members and inmates, ” he said.

Mohd Azis said the government had implemented the parole and Compulsory Attendance Order systems as ways to reduce overcrowding in prisons.

He also said that upgrading works of the Seremban, Pengkalan Chepa and Batu Gajah prisons would start next year to meet new standards.

“These prisons are among the six that are still using the ‘bucket system’ for sanitation.

“Many Members of Parliament have voiced their concern about upgrading the facilities in these prisons and there is progress now.

“The ministry hopes to be allocated with funds to upgrade three others in Taiping, Muar and Penang.

“Those prison buildings are very old and cannot be safely repaired, so we will recommend the government to consider rebuilding these prisons, ” he said.