Adib Noor
Support from family members and the community is important to help former inmates find an identity and reduce rates of recidivism, said Minister of Home Affairs Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ahmaddin bin Haji Abdul Rahman yesterday.
In his address commemorating the 69th anniversary of the Prisons Department, the minister said support to help former inmates with employment or supporting their business as a source of income, while also providing guidance and motivation is important to reduce rates of recidivism, as it will help former inmates not be lured into repeating offences.
The minister also highlighted the Prisons Department’s role in rehabilitating detainees with quality programmes that help generate a ‘growth mindset’ among them.
“The Prisons Department implements several programmes for spirituality, counselling sessions and motivational talks and physical rehabilitation,” said the minister.
“Programmes also include vocational skills training to equip inmates with skills to help them prepare when they are released to find suitable jobs,” he added.
The minister said the Maraburong Prison Phase 4 construction project under the 11th National Development Plan will involve the renovation of the Maraburong Prison Phase 1 canteen to be used as a space and pastry shop to provide vocational skills training to the prisoners.
“With the implementation of this project, it is hoped that it will provide more variety of marketable training,” said the minister.
The minister said in 2022, a total of 26 individuals under the Rehabilitation and Reintegration Division successfully secured employment with private companies.
Other inmates have also opened their own businesses, he added.
He hoped the Prisons Department will continue to realise its vision and mission for a strong provision of directed and effective rehabilitation programme.
Yesterday, the Prisons Department celebrated its 69th anniversary at the Parade Ground, Prisons Department Training Centre. Personnel from the Prisons Department formed a parade to mark the occasion, inspected by the minister.
