By Karen Bong
KUCHING, Sept 13: Sarawak has one of the lowest recidivism rates in the world at about 98 per 100,000 population since 2008, as compared to global statistics with about 228 offenders returning to prison within three years of release.
Recidivism is a tendency to relapse into criminal behaviour, in which released prisoners or reoffenders are rearrested, convicted and returned to prison.
As such, Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said the Prison Department will conduct research on the factors contributing to a positive outcome.
“There must be something we have done right. As the Ministry and the Department have long years of collaboration and close relationship, we want to know what we have done that contributed to this.
“We are very supportive of the research because we also want to know what can be improved. Whatever we invest in and do, it must lead to a positive outcome for the wellbeing of everybody,” she told a press conference during a courtesy call from new Sarawak Prison director and Deputy Prison Commissioner Mohamad Andri Md Ridzwan at the Ministry’s office today.
Fatimah explained that the Ministry will also be implementing a new programme next year on poverty eradication with former prisoners apart from the various programmes being carried out across Sarawak.
“There are already correctional programmes conducted in prison to enable parolees to transit into the community.
“With that, we also see the need to provide guidance and support to former prisoners especially in the B40 group with not only skills but equipment and tools to be independent, ability to generate income and regain self-confidence and self-worth to start a new life after serving their sentence,” she said.
Fatimah added that this is in view that stigmatisation towards ex-offenders is still high in society, making it harder for them to get normal jobs or employment.
On today’s courtesy call, Mohamad Andri briefed and invited Fatimah to become the guest-of-honour to the ‘Pembebasan Banduan Berlesen’ (parole and release or PBSL) outreach programme 2022 to be held at Kampung Nyabor’s Malay Club Hall in Sibu on Sept 20.
The parole and release is a privilege given to eligible inmates to strengthen family ties, find employment opportunities, future planning and other matters deemed appropriate by the Prison General Commissioner.
Mohamad Andri added that the PBSL also aims at reducing overcrowding in prisons and providing relief to inmates to serve their prison sentences outside the prison and undergo community rehabilitation programmes.
The programme, which features a forum on “PBSL An Alternative to Second Chance”, is expected to be attended by 400 participants including “Orang Bebas Berlesen” (OBB or parolees, OBB employers, OBB family members and local community. — DayakDaily
