Dr Annuar looking at a piece of songket after the launch of the Sarawak zone Mypride Fair 2023.
THE Sarawak Prisons Department is targeting to more than double its infocraft programme sales from a previous edition.
“The Borneo Prison Infocraft Programme, which was implemented in 2018 in Miri, had achieved a total sales of RM20,724.
“Hopefully this year it will be able to reach the target of RM46,722,” said Prisons Department Prisoner Management director Comm Ajidin Salleh at the launch of Mypride Fair 2023 for the Sarawak zone in Sibu.
He said the department hoped its collaboration with the Skills Development Department would enable them to produce more qualified teaching staff.
“The creation of more skill centres and the entry of more inmates can provide career opportunities for inmates after release,” he said.
Ajidin said Sarawak Prisons in collaboration with the state government had established the Sarawak Songket Weaving Workshop at Puncak Borneo Prison, operational since Nov 16, 2019.
It is in the process of establishing a similar songket programme at Bintulu Correctional Centre.
“The establishment of industrial workshops in the prison institution has produced skilled inmates and provided them with income and further generated revenue for the department,” he said.
During the period of incarceration, the inmates will undergo four phases of rehabilitation, be given skills training in high-tech technical and vocational fields and get recognised certification.
Ajidin revealed that in 2022, the number of Sarawak Prisons inmates who had followed the intermediate level skills certification programme exceeded the target of 70%.
“In 2023 until June, the inmates of Sarawak Prisons have achieved 67.6% undergoing intermediate level certified skills, compared to the 80% annual target,” he added.
The Mypride Fair was launched by Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Deputy Minister Datuk Dr Annuar Rapaee.
