Latest news with #PrisonsDepartment
![[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FCommunityservice-280725_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1753697441.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Community service option extended to more offenders
KUALA LUMPUR: The Offenders Compulsory Attendance (Amendment) Act 2025, aimed at broadening the category of offenders eligible for mandatory community service in place of imprisonment, has been passed by the Dewan Rakyat today. The proposed amendments will allow offenders convicted of crimes punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment, and who reside near a compulsory attendance centre, to be eligible for alternative sentencing. Individuals facing imprisonment for failing to pay fines will also qualify under the revised law. Offenders will be required to undertake compulsory work for a period not exceeding 12 months and no more than four hours a day. However, before granting such an order, the court must assess whether the offender would be adequately punished by a prison sentence not exceeding three years, and take into account the individual's character, as stipulated in the amended Section 5(1A) of the Offenders Compulsory Attendance Act 1954. "Up to July 25, 2025, 8,225 people have received such an order. This shows that this is not new," Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said in his winding-up speech. Responding to government backbencher Lim Lip Eng's (PH–Kepong) suggestion to utilise electronic monitoring, the deputy minister said an amendment is in the works. "I would like to inform you that the Prisons Department has taken note of this proposal. "The Prisons Act 1995 is being amended, which includes a suggestion on using electronic monitoring as a method," he said. Shamsul also clarified that remand detainees and prisoners were already separated in prison. "This separation is important to ensure that people facing trial are not exposed to negative influences or security risks from convicted inmates. "We have already been doing this for a long time," he said.
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Kannur jailbreak reveals negligence among top officials of prisons dept
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the jailbreak of Govindachamy has raised questions on the safety aspects of prisons, equally glaring is the lethargy of senior officers of the Prisons Department. Highly-placed sources said senior officials, starting from Prisons Department Director General Balram Kumar Upadhyay, have been turning a blind eye towards the daily monitoring of the functioning of the prisons. As per the Kerala Prisons and Correctional Services (Management) Act, the Prisons DG should visit the central prisons and the high-security prison once every six months. This practice helps the DG personally take stock of the security situations inside the prisons and suggest measures to address them. However, the incumbent DG has been reluctant to visit prisons, sources said. The central prisons, open prisons, women prisons and the high-security prison have jail advisory boards that meet every six months. The norm that was keenly followed earlier was that the DGs would go the prisons to take part in the advisory board meetings so that both purposes- attending the meeting and jail visit- were served. However, in the case of the incumbent DG, he prefers attending the meetings, which are held offline, online.
New Straits Times
14-07-2025
- New Straits Times
No 'VIP treatment' in Malaysian prisons, says Prisons Dept chief
KAJANG: The Prisons Department has denied claims of "VIP treatment" for high-profile inmates, saying all prisoners are treated equally under the law. Its director-general, Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak, said there are no air-conditioned cells, luxury meals or "hotel-like" conditions in any Malaysian prison. He said some high-profile inmates may be held in separate cells, but this is done solely for security reasons, not as a form of privilege. "These individuals often receive media attention or may face risks inside. Separation is a safety measure, not special treatment," he said on 'Harian Metro' 'Apa-Apa Saja' podcast. Aziz stressed that the department's core principle is the "duty of care", ensuring the safety and welfare of inmates from entry until release. To reduce overcrowding, more than 6,500 low-risk inmates are now serving time outside prison under the Community Rehabilitation Programme. Aziz said the department now refers to inmates as "prospects" to remove stigma and support their reintegration into society. "We believe prospects can change, and society should accept them. Rehabilitation is as important as punishment." He also highlighted the Corporate Smart Internship Programme, where eligible inmates work in private companies and earn a minimum wage of RM1,700. Aziz acknowledged that many prison facilities are outdated, with some more than 100 years old, and hopes for additional funding to upgrade ageing infrastructure.
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Socso helps 4,105 ex-convicts find work since 2020
NIBONG TEBAL: A total of 4,105 former prisoners have successfully reintegrated into society through the Social Security Organisation's (Socso) career-matching program from 2020 to July 2024. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim highlighted that the initiative supports national efforts to reduce reliance on foreign labour by tapping into local talent, including rehabilitated individuals. The manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food services, and wholesale and retail trade sectors have absorbed the highest number of these job seekers. Sim noted that Malaysia's workforce comprises 16.78 million people, with foreign workers making up 13.7 per cent of the total. 'This underscores the need to utilise local potential inclusively, including former inmates,' he said during the MYFutureJobs Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival at the Seberang Perai Prison Complex. The event, a collaboration between Socso and the Prisons Department, featured 20 employers offering 1,080 vacancies. Nine public and private agencies also provided entrepreneurship programs. Since 2020, Socso's Daya Kerjaya program has placed 2,604 individuals in jobs, with RM12 million disbursed in employer incentives. Sim emphasised the government's commitment through the Active Labour Market Stimulus Policy, which offers RM600 monthly for three months to employers hiring ex-convicts. Socso also signed an MoU with six industry associations to expand job opportunities for rehabilitated individuals. Present at the event were Prisons Commissioner-General Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak, Socso Chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal, and CEO Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed. – Bernama
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Over 4,000 former inmates returned to work force
NIBONG TEBAL: A total of 4,105 former inmates who completed their sentences and rehabilitation between 2020 and July 9 have rejoined the workforce, thanks to job-matching efforts by the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso). Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong said most of them found employment in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, food services, as well as wholesale and retail trade. He said Perkeso's initiative reflected the urgent need to utilise local manpower more inclusively and comprehensively, recognising the potential of these prospects as productive contributors to society and the economy. "This initiative is a joint effort with the Prisons Department and the Home Ministry to provide a second chance through job placements for former inmates and individuals who have previously been incarcerated. "So, in this two-day programme, around 20 employers are involved, offering over 1,000 job opportunities. About 600 prospects have registered for job interviews, and so far, 400 have been hired or placed in jobs," Sim welcomed the commitment expressed by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Federation of Malaysian Business Associations (FMBA), which pledged to provide 4,500 job opportunities for prospects this year. He also expressed his appreciation to the Prisons Department for its cooperation in organising 263 job fairs between 2023 and May 2025, aimed at providing a fresh start for these individuals. This marks the second large-scale edition of the carnival, following the first held at Kajang Prison last year, which involved 350 inmates from the central zone. This year, the carnival has been expanded to the northern zone, with 600 soon-to-be-released prospects participating —comprising 550 men and 50 women — from 10 prisons and correctional centres. The event involves 20 employers offering 37 types of positions, totaling over 1,000 vacancies. As part of the carnival, Perkeso also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six major associations: FMM, FMBA, Malaysia Retailers Association (MRA), Malaysia Budget & Business Hotel Association (MyBHA), Federation of Motor & Credit Companies of Malaysia (FMCCAM) and Balai Ikthisas Malaysia (BIM). These MoUs open up more job opportunities for former inmates who have undergone rehabilitation and training programmes. The initiative is aimed at helping this group return to the workforce and rebuild their lives. He said this at the launch of the MYFutureJobs Career and Entrepreneurship Carnival held at the Seberang Prai Prison Complex in Jawi here. Also present were Prisons Commissioner General Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak, Perkeso Board chairman Datuk Seri Subahan Kamal and Perkeso Group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Dr Mohammed Azman Aziz Mohammed. One of the prospects, who was charged with drug possession, was sentenced to five years in prison and now out on parole and working at a factory in Perlis, said he is determined to turn a new leaf and grateful for the job. "I used to work in a restaurant but I made a mistake and had to pay the price for it. I am sorry for what I did and am glad to be given an opportunity to start over. "I am now on parole and work at a factory in Perlis packing fertiliser," he said when met. He added that if he had to look for work on his own,people might not take kindly to his past.
