PADAWAN: The Licensed Prisoner Release Programme (PBSL) in Sarawak has demonstrated positive effectiveness in reducing the recidivism rate or instances of repeated crimes.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Prison Teyun Thiam Eim, the Sarawak Prison Director, a total of 1,714 inmates have been selected for the programme since 2020.
Out of this number, only 4.14 per cent, or 71 individuals, have violated the conditions of the Licensed Prisoner Release (OBB) and had their release revoked.
According to him, this resulted in their inability to complete the OBB process.
“The number of individuals involved in violating these conditions is very small. Some of the OBBs were revoked due to new arrest warrants related to other offences, while others tested positive for illicit substances during urine tests. As for the rate of repeated crimes, it is remarkably low,” he informed the media after the PBSL event held in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the Puncak Borneo Prison Complex today (April 4).
However, Tuyen emphasized that the rate of supervised OBBs returning to imprisonment is significantly lower compared to those released without supervision.
He also mentioned that across Malaysia, only 0.27 per cent of OBBs have re-entered prison for repeated offences.
“Of those released without supervision, 17 per cent will reoffend. Hence, we can observe the effectiveness of programs such as parole, PBSL, and home detention in significantly reducing the rate of repeated crimes. This can lead to substantial cost reductions, including time, inmate management costs, police costs, prosecution costs, and more,” he added.
Tuyen further stated that the PBSL program is being conducted for the second time since 2023.
He explained that the program is not limited to Hari Raya but also includes Independence Day, Chinese New Year, Christmas, and other celebrations.
“We aim to provide OBBs with the opportunity to be with their families,” he said. For the record, according to statistics from the Sarawak Prison Department, a total of 11 individuals were selected for the PBSL program in 2020, 136 individuals in 2021, 461 individuals in 2022, 895 individuals in 2023, and 211 individuals this year.
Employers registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and families are involved in assisting PBSL by continuing pre-release training.
They will directly provide the latest progress reports on OBBs.
In addition, district parole officers will supervise OBBs in their respective administrative areas.
If an OBB fails to comply with the license conditions, they will be referred to the nearest police station for charges under Section 43(4) of the Prisons Act 1995.
A prisoner who fails to comply with any condition of the license issued to them under subsection (1) when convicted may be fined up to two thousand ringgit, imprisoned for a maximum term of two years, or both.
