By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, March 24: A total of 80 prison prospects in Sarawak were granted release under the Madani Compassionate Release Programme (PBSL Ihsan Madani) in conjunction with the upcoming Aidilfitri celebration.
A Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) news report stated that the release involved 25 inmates from Puncak Borneo Prison, 15 from Sri Aman Central Prison, 18 from Sibu Central Prison, two from Bintulu Correctional Centre, 14 from Miri Central Prison, and six from Limbang Prison.
According to Sarawak Prisons director Teyun Thian Eim, the release criteria include serving a sentence of three years or less, completing one-third of their sentence, and not being subject to mandatory sentences.
“Prior to their release, these individuals have undergone rehabilitation programmes within the prison, and I am confident they have passed the necessary screenings,” he said during the PBSL Ihsan Madani event at Puncak Borneo Prison here today.
He emphasised that those released remain subject to Section 43 of the Prisons Act 1995. Anyone found to be in violation of the programme’s terms could face a fine of up to RM2,000 or a prison sentence of no more than two years, or both.
At Puncak Borneo Prison, 10 inmates were handed over to their employers, 10 were released to their families, and five were placed in halfway houses. Overall, 27 inmates were released to employers, 41 to families, and 12 to halfway houses.
The PBSL programme allows selected individuals to serve their sentences within society, offering them an opportunity to adjust to work life, earn wages, and secure housing.
During this period, District Parole Officers will supervise the inmates in their designated areas, maintaining contact with their guarantors to monitor progress.
Present at the event was Puncak Borneo Prison director Shahrin Nizam Ahmad. — DayakDaily
