Sibu Prison places 18 inmates on release programme in connection with Aidilfitri
SIBU: Eighteen inmates are being given a chance by Sibu Prison to turn over a new leaf, following their placement under the ‘Release of Prisoners on Licence’ (PBSL) programme in connection with Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Eight of them are those serving less than one year in prison, while the rest are those whose jail sentences run from one to three years.
Sibu Prisons director Hamad Seman says although they are not in prison, they would still be monitored under the parole system and thus, they are advised to always comply with the regulations that have been set, up until the end of their sentence.
“We hope that with their release earlier than the actual date, the prisoners would use this opportunity to repent so that they will not repeat the mistakes that they had made.
“We express our gratitude to the family members and employers who are willing to work together with the prison authorities to ensure that this programme would run successfully,” he said on Thursday, as quoted by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
Hamad said any PBSL programme participant found to have violated the regulations, would be sent back to prison and be subject to punishment depending on the offence committed.
According to him, there are several criteria that make an inmate eligible for the PBSL.
“They are convicted of minor crimes, they have no other cases or appeal cases, and have gone through Phase I of the Human Development Programme (PPI).
“Those not eligible are foreign prisoners, those convicted of cases involving dangerous drugs, those convicted under the AntiTrafficking in Persons and AntiSmuggling of Migrants Act, those convicted of any murder case, and firearms offences.”
Last year, a total of 202 inmates were released under the PBSL, and as at April this year, 43 inmates in Sibu Prisons had been released under this programme.