SEPANG: The Malaysian Prisons Department is targeting two thirds of its low-risk prisoners to serve part of their sentences outside jail by 2030.
Its director-general, Commissioner-General Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar, said for this to happen, inmates would have to fulfil the conditions of a human development programme and receive a satisfactory report for their behaviour.
He said once they had met 75 per cent of the programme’s criteria, they would be allowed to integrate into society and take part in activities such as undergo job training while serving the remainder of their sentence.
“They will be housed in selected army camps during the duration of the remainder of their sentence. There are processes for this. In the future, we will look into simplifying the process so that more can join the programme.”
He said there was a high demand for trained workforce.
Zulkifli stressed that this was not a form of forced labour as inmates were paid the minimum wage.
“If we look at the current situation in the prisons, when we do a preliminary screening, it was found that 70 per cent of our inmates are in the low-risk group.
“This approach of giving them a second chance has strengthened the parole system.
“Since 2008, when the parole system was introduced, less than one per cent of the 31,000 prisoners repeated their offences.
“We want them to enrol in rehabilitation programmes.”
He said more than 50 per cent of inmates were youth, aged 45 and below.
Peka@MRCB programme coordinator Datuk Dell Akhbar Khan said under the programme, inmates were involved in construction related to the Light Rapid Transit 3 project.
“Those who show the ability to learn skills will be given more tasks, including welding, repairing machines and managing equipment.”
He said the construction sector was a critical industry where workforce was consistently needed.
“All the courses, training and certification offered to Orang Diselia are industry-certified and are done according to the desired standards so that they will have a better chance of gaining employment.”
He said companies that participate in the programme could address their short-term workforce issue and, at the same time, explore the potential of a long-term manpower planning.