PRISONS in Malaysia are currently holding more than 84,000 inmates, exceeding the maximum capacity of 76,000, says Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
The Deputy Home Minister said 84,143 individuals are being held in prison facilities nationwide while another 6,640 are undergoing community-based rehabilitation outside prison walls.
“The actual capacity of prisons is 76,311. This shows an overcrowding situation with an excess of 7,872 inmates beyond the system’s limit,” he said during Question Time.
Shamsul Anuar was responding to Rushdan Rusmi (PN-Padang Besar), who asked about the Home Ministry’s measures to reduce overcrowding caused by drug-related offences and whether it would review existing policies, including proposals for controlled decriminalisation and shifting minor offenders to community rehabilitation to break the cycle of re-offending.
He said the government is implementing a comprehensive approach involving enforcement and rehabilitation to address congestion linked to drug offences.
This includes the establishment of the Chenderiang Correctional Centre in Tapah to segregate drug offenders convicted under Sections 15(1) and 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
“This separation allows for more targeted treatment and rehabilitation programmes.
“It also prepares inmates to transition into community-based rehabilitation,” he said, adding that the efforts not only ease congestion in major prisons but may also reduce recidivism.
Shamsul Anuar said rehabilitation initiatives have also been expanded through community-based programmes such as the parole system and licenced early release.
“These programmes provide eligible inmates with the opportunity to undergo rehabilitation outside prison walls in a controlled and supervised environment.
“This aligns with the Prisons Department’s direction to enable two-thirds of eligible inmates to participate in community rehabilitation, thereby reducing pressure on prison capacity and supporting their reintegration into society,” he added.
