KUCHING: The Malaysian Prisons Department will set up a committee to study the Sarawak Prisons experience in solving the problem of overcrowding of inmates in prisons.
Sarawak came in for praise from Prisons Commissioner General Datuk Nordin Muhamad who was impressed with the state’s methods in effectively controlling the issue of overcrowding.
“We have asked the policy division to set up the committee fast to study Sarawak’s unique methods.
“In Sarawak, the prisons are not at full capacity yet (91 per cent). Out of the six prisons in Sarawak, only the prisons in Puncak Borneo and Lambir in Miri are experiencing overcrowding,” he told reporters after the Prisons Department’s presentation of medals ceremony 2021, Sarawak Zone, at the Puncak Borneo Prison, here yesterday (Jan 26).
“So this is something we can emulate, which has been practised and implemented by developed countries,” he added.
Nordin noted that Sarawak Prisons also managed to record a good performance in terms of its recidivism rate (repeated offenders) which was below 0.3 per cent compared to the average recidivism rate in the Prisons Department nationwide which was 13.86 per cent.
“Less than half per cent of recidivism rates are reported in Sarawak Prisons, so this matter also requires a detailed study.
“This is it due to the different systems, processes, priorities that have been practised here, or perhaps the culture, the way of life and civilisation in Sarawak society that we can emulate.
Meanwhile, Nordin also commended the Sarawak Prisons for successfully implementing the Corporate Smart Internship (CSI) where a total of 152 People on Parole (ODP) participated in the programme.
He said the parole programme was held in various locations statewide in collaboration with Syarikat Berkat Channel in Bintulu, 3 Beradik Gemuk Restaurant in Miri, Syarikat Smile Earth Sdn Bhd, Right Round Sdn Bhd Company in Bintulu and Felcra Berhad Sarawak Region.
The programme is aimed at helping ODP return to the right path.
At the ceremony, Nordin presented the Johan Bakti Medal to Sarawak State Deputy Secretary Datuk Dr Sabariah Putit for her commendable services to the department’s rehabilitation system while 25 prison officers received the Commissioner General’s Medal Class One and Class Two.
Also present were senior director of Prison Policy Supri Hashim, director of Prison Management Division Ajidin Salleh, director of Radical and High Risk Detention Division Zaidi Hamid and Sarawak Prisons director Mohamad Rosidek Musa.
