Freedom and love: Muslim inmates embraced by loved ones upon their early release from Labuan Prison in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha. — Bernama
KOTA KINABALU: Eighteen prisoners have been given early freedom in conjunction with Hari Raya Haji.
They were released under the Licensed Prisoner Release programme, said Sabah and Labuan Prisons Department deputy director Abdul Rauf Lang Pasih.
He said that 17 of them were from the Kota Kinabalu Central Prison and one was a female inmate from the Kota Kinabalu Women’s Prison in Kepayan here.
“This is the third release following two similar programmes to mark Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Pesta Kaamatan (the Harvest Festival),” he told reporters during the release programme at the Kepayan prison here.
Abdul Rauf said the early prison release was for them to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones.
It would also help reduce congestion in prisons and encourage the better recovery of inmates in society, he added.
“We hope they will appreciate their early release from jail and turn over a new leaf,” he said.
Abdul Rauf said the community should provide support and give them a second chance in life.
The programme was rolled out by the Prisons Department in conjunction with the Licensed Prisoner Release Ihsan Madani programme prior to Hari Raya Aidilfitri in April.
In LABUAN, Bernama reported that nine Muslim inmates were released from Labuan prison in conjunction with Hari Raya Haji.
Six of them were met by family members and relatives outside the prison gates, while the rest were returned to their employers.
So far, 21 inmates have been released under the programme, with the first batch of six prisoners released for Hari Raya in April, followed by another six for the Kaamatan Festival, said Labuan Correctional Centre director assistant commissioner Kalbin Mohd Said.
“All have served one-third of their sentences and were due for release in one to two months.
“They had shown good behaviour and fully complied with the rehabilitation programmes throughout their detention.
“We hope family members will openly accept the return of the inmates so that they can redeem themselves and return to a normal life,” he said after the prisoners were released yesterday.
Kalbin said the initiative was being carried out nationwide.
