Panasonic committed to helping prison inmates reintegrate into society
We do this not because we only want to use them for work but to help them to turn over a new leaf and have some financial savings to start anew when they are released.
Datuk Moktar Mohd Salleh
SHAH ALAM: Panasonic Appliances Air-Conditioning Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Panasonic) will continue its partnership with the Malaysian Prisons Department to assist inmates to reintegrate into society under the Corporate Smart Internship for Parolees.
Panasonic human resource director Datuk Moktar Mohd Salleh said the company has taken in over 1,200 inmates under the parole programme since June 2019.
“We do this not because we only want to use them for work but to help them to turn over a new leaf and have some financial savings to start anew when they are released,” he told Bernama.
He added inmates were allowed to work with other employees without being discriminated and treated differently.
Some of them had even developed long-lasting relationships while working at Panasonic, he said.
“We do not discriminate but instead give them the opportunity to mingle with other employees, especially during meals and breaks at the canteen.
“They are provided accommodation at a special block supervised by the Klang district parole and community officer. The block is monitored by security guards, hostel wardens and closed circuit cameras (CCTV) at all times,” he said.
The company also organises interventions, spiritual and motivational talks for the inmates during offdays.
Every inmate’s career progression is monitored and if they perform excellently, they will be offered a job at the company when they finish their parole, he said.
He said 64 former inmates were offered jobs based on their work performance during parole so far. One such former inmate, Nazmil (not his real name), 37, who went through the parole programme for 10 months, said he was very grateful to not only have been offered a job last March but also appointed a leader in the production line.
He had been sentenced to five years’ jail for a drug conviction but said that he was lucky to have been selected for the parole programme as it helped him prepare for a new start.
Panasonic is one of over 200 companies involved in the programme that was introduced at the end of 2016 to provide training and skills to parolees and licensed inmates.
The programme is a measure to create public awareness and help reintegrate convicts as well as reduce the number of inmates in prisons.
The participants are chosen from those serving time for minor crimes, and are subject to a very stringent vetting process before being approved for the programme.