Tuesday February 5, 2008
Public not in danger, says Prison Dept
By LOH FOON FONG
KAJANG: The public need not worry about having prison inmates in their midst once the parole system is implemented in July as there would be careful selection of those to be released, according to prison authorities.
The Malaysian Prisons Department Rehabilitation and Treatment director Darussalam Budin said there would be at least four layers of screening.
A prison committee would determine which inmates could be released and send the list to the Prisons Department, which would then refer the list to the Internal Security Ministry before it reaches the Parole Board, he said.
“We believe the system will work,” said Darussalam.
Moreover, it is a matter of time before these people would be released and with the parole system, they would be released slightly earlier, he said.
They would be on parole for only one-sixth of the sentencing years, after serving half of their sentencing years, he added.
“We will revoke their parole if they go back to crime,” said Darussalam during the Malaysian Prison Department’s Chinese New Year celebration with prisoners launched by Kajang assemblyman Datin Paduka Low Lee Leng.
There were 2,388 qualified inmates. However, the number of those who actually go on parole would depend on the number of applications received, he said.
“The parole system will require acceptance from families and society. It helps inmates to adapt to society again,” said Darussalam.
He said 676 parole officers would be needed when the system is implemented and they would have to be at least an inspector.
Parole Division deputy director of parole Kausalya Devi said that those who would be eligible for parole are those with release dates.
Those who had committed offences under Table 4 of the Prisons Act such as the Penal Code (sexual cases), Kidnapping Act, Dangerous Weapons Act and Dangerous Drugs Act and Internal Security Act would not be eligible to apply.
An eligible inmate’s sentencing years must be more than one year, she added.
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