Prisons Dept to be reformed – Azis

KOTA KINABALU: Reformation of the Malaysian Prisons Department will be implemented to help improve the department, said Deputy Home Minister Datuk Mohd Azis Jamman.

Among the aspects that would be implemented are detention, compliance, standard service, rehabilitation, personnel training, correctional facilities and reintegration which would ensure that the inmates are treated accordingly, he said.

The rehabilitation programme, said Azis, would be enhanced further in terms of training more teachers, additional classes for inmates as well as ensuring suitability of programmes for the occupants based on their past activities.

“Professionalism among personnel will also be improved through continuous learning, specialization correction as well as continuous efforts in improving the salary scheme and allowance for officers along with prison personnel to be at par with other uniformed agencies,” he said during the Sabah division Malaysian Prisons Department 2018 Excellent Service Award at the Sabah Federal Administration Complex, here yesterday. His speech was read by Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Alwi Ibrahim.

Also present were Prisons Department director-general Datuk Seri Zulkifli Omar and Sabah and Labuan Prison director Suria Idris.

Azis added that the reintegration programme would not only be emphasized but would also be empowered to help former occupants in their process of readapting themselves among the community.

“The rehabilitation programme outside prison with the community such as the parole system, compulsory attendance order and Inmates Re-integration Programme must be emphasized and widened as an indirect alternative programme to tackle the overcrowded issue in prison,” he said, adding that the rehabilitation programme hopes to give a new meaning to former inmates so they can play their role in contributing to the country.

Yesterday’s event saw 140 personnel and officers from the Sabah and Labuan Prisons Departments receiving the Excellent Service awards for their excellent work performance.