PETALING JAYA: The community reintegration of former inmates has shown a success rate of 99.76%, says the Prisons Department.
It said that to date, the rate of former inmates relapsing or returning to crime after release was only 0.24%.
“We acknowledge that there are still some former convicts who committed crimes after their release, despite joint efforts with private companies, non-governmental organisations and the community to curb it.
“However, the recidivism rate was very low compared to the success rate of the reintegration programme,” the Prisons Department said in a statement to The Star.
It added that 15,790 inmates underwent technical and vocational education and training (TVET) from 2012 to 2022.
It also said 15,126 inmates had received their certifications under the Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM), Human Resources Ministry and Skills Competency Training, and 664 inmates received accreditation from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).
“The Home Ministry, through 34 industrial vocational centres and the Prisons Department, has offered skills training that involves six main sectors.
“The sectors were food and beverage (F&B), services, manufacturing, fabric, plantations and farming,” it added.
The department also said it introduced the Corporate Smart Internship Programme in 2016 in collaboration with the private sector, for parolees, people under supervision and licensed former detainees.
“A total of 236 companies have collaborated with the Prisons Department under the programme, where 6,393 job opportunities were offered.
“The companies are also offering wages in accordance with the regulations set by the government while providing lodging, transport, medical access, contributions to the Social Security Organisation and Employees’ Provident Fund, among other benefits,” it said.
Through another corporate smart training programme, the department has also been working with industry players to strengthen TVET training.
Last Thursday, Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar said his ministry was targeting employment for 15,000 former prisoners, Henry Gurney school inmates and convicts due for release soon.
