Prisoners under special release programme placed with guarantors

PETALING JAYA: The 1,000 prisoners released under the Prisoners' Release on Licence (OBB) programme will be placed with a guarantor until the date their sentence ends.

"Prisoners released under the programme do not have to return to prison unless they commit wrongdoing during the (release) period.

"All OBB prisoners released will be placed with a guarantor (penjamin) such as family members, employers and registered NGOs for a period until their release, which varies," a Prisons Department source told The Star.

A total of 1,000 prisoners will be released under the OBB programme.

"The Prisons Department is always working to empower rehabilitation programs in the community to help OBBs with rehabilitation before they are released," said the source.

On April 18, the Prisons Department said there are a few criteria that prisoners under the OBB program have to meet.

There were three criteria and stages, namely at institutional level, followed by the committee at the state level and subsequently the Prisons Department headquarters level for prisoners to be released under license (PBSL).

Those who have carried out their sentence for less than a year, completed a third of their jail term, undergoing rehabilitation programs in prison or have been guaranteed a job or place to stay by employers, family and NGOs are the one who will be considered for the program.

Prisoners released under licence will be monitored by the parole officer of the district they live in through home visits, workplace visits and calls.

This came following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that the Ihsan Madani OBB program, which will involve 1,000 prisoners, will be implemented in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.