Malaysia’s prisons among the best in the world, says senior officer
BY LEE SHI-IAN and LOW HAN SHAUN
Published: 22 January 2015 3:11 PM
Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail said the department spent about RM35 for a prisoner daily, which included utilities and shelter. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, January 22, 2015.Malaysian prisons have been recognised as among the best in the world for its emphasis on the welfare and rights of the inmates, says a Prisons Department senior officer.
Assistant Commissioner Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail cited an example where prisoners were fed four times daily with a diet approved by the Health Ministry.
"The menu varies according to each week of the month, but the meal is sufficiently nutritious and fruits are also given," he said during a presentation.
"The Prisons Department is very sensitive about the rights and welfare of inmates and provide professional service based on human values of fairness and equitable.
"All inmates are treated fairly in accordance with the standard procedure regardless of race, gender or political affiliation.
"Although these are prisoners who have committed various crimes, we treat them like normal human beings," he said.
"They have done the crime, now they are doing the time, so there is no reason to treat them any differently."
Kadir said on average, the department spent about RM35 for a prisoner daily, which included utilities and shelter.
"There are more than 40,000 prisoners currently being incarcerated in various Malaysian prisons," he added.
He said the number of repeat offenders had decreased to 8% from the previous 20% in 2010, a success attributed to the human development programme.
"We launched the programme after 2010 to alter our focus from merely rehabilitating to teaching prisoners how to be independent and not resort to crime.
"We also try to teach the prisoners vocational skills, knowledge and to change their attitude towards society and the law.
"Take inside the prison for example. Fights and disputes lessen because they are well-fed and are healthy without worrying about being hungry."
Kadir declined to reveal the annual budget allocated to the Prisons Department, but said the parole system was another way of cutting costs. – January 22, 2015.
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