SIBU: A 31-year old woman prisoner, the first in Sarawak to be allowed home detention under the Licensed Release of Prisoners (PBSL) initiative, is grateful for the chance to be reunited with her young children.
Nini (not her real name) was also the fourth in the country allowed to serve the remainder of her sentence under PBSL.
Being 28 weeks into her pregnancy, Nini had met one of the criteria for the programme.
She began her jail sentence in Sibu Prison for a petty crime on Jan 11. Under PBSL, she would now serve the remaining four months of her sentence at home.
ALSO READ: Govt agrees in principle to home detention for prisoners, says Saifuddin
"I am happy and thankful to the prison authorities for allowing me to serve the rest of my sentence at home.
"This will allow me to live a normal life like any other person," she told reporters at the prison on Friday (April 26).
"I will not repeat (my) mistake. I will abide by all conditions of the home detention," she said between sobs.
When asked what she planned to do as a home detainee, she was quick to say that she would take care of her two children aged two and three years, whom she misses greatly.
Her release was witnessed by Sarawak Prisons director Teyun Thian Eim. Nini's sister acted as guarantor for her licensed release.
"Inmates (eligible for) the initiative are those with chronic diseases, the elderly, persons with disabilities and expectant mothers," Teyun told the media.
The initiative is also for prisoners serving jail sentences of four years and below for petty crime; senior citizens above 70 years old; and those who are 28 weeks pregnant.
ALSO READ: Licensed release a timely move to reduce congestion in jails, says Lam Thye
However, Teyun said licensed release would be automatically revoked if any conditions were breached.
These terms include that those under PBSL must not commit any crimes, and must stay at home except when seeking medical treatment.
"(Those whose PBSL is revoked) will then have to serve the rest of their sentence in prison.
"They could also be charged in court and liable to not more than two years' jail or a fine or both if found guilty," he added.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had said on March 2 that the government agreed to implement PBSL through home detention as an effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons.
