Strategy to ease overcrowding in prisons

EARLIER this year, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, in a written parliamentary reply to a question from Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian), said 78,236 individuals were currently undergoing detention at all prisons in this country, “Prisons overcrowded by 6,000 inmates” (The Star, March 31).

Incarcerating first-time non-violent and non-serious offenders contributes to overcrowding in prisons.