KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s prisons are holding 84,143 inmates against a maximum capacity of 76,311, says Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
The Deputy Home Minister said another 6,640 individuals are undergoing community-based rehabilitation.
“This shows overcrowding with an excess of 7,872 inmates beyond the system’s limit,” he said on Monday (Nov 17).
He responded to Rushdan Rusmi (PN–Padang Besar) in the Dewan Rakyat during Question Time.
Rushdan asked about measures to reduce overcrowding from drug offences and possible policy reviews.
He referred to controlled decriminalisation and shifting minor offenders to community rehabilitation.
Shamsul said a comprehensive approach involving enforcement and rehabilitation is being implemented.
He said the Chenderiang Correctional Centre in Tapah segregates drug offenders under Sections 15(1) and 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“This separation allows more targeted treatment and rehabilitation programmes,” he said.
“It also prepares inmates to transition into community-based rehabilitation,” added Shamsul.
He said these efforts ease congestion in major prisons and may reduce recidivism.
Shamsul said community-based programmes such as parole and licensed early release have been expanded.
“These programmes allow eligible inmates to undergo rehabilitation outside prison in a controlled and supervised environment,” he said.
“This aligns with the Prisons Department’s direction for two thirds of eligible inmates to join community rehabilitation,” added Shamsul
He said this will reduce pressure on capacity and support reintegration into society.
