KOTA KINABALU: A new prison that can house 1,000 inmates in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district will be operational by January next year, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He added the new prison will help address overcrowding at several prisons in Tawau, Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu.
He said the prison will begin operations with a one-month trial period involving 100 prisoners and it will be expanded to 450 inmates before operating at full capacity in January next year.
“This additional 1,000 capacity will help the Prisons Department to address overcrowding issues, which can lead to problems like transmission of infectious diseases and unconducive conditions that can cause distress among inmates and result in suicide, escape attempts or fights,” Saifuddin Nasution said yesterday at a handing-over ceremony of the prison from the Works Ministry to the Home Ministry in Lahad Datu.
Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi was also present.
Regarding the prisoners, Saifuddin Nasution said the Prisons Department had implemented the parole system to address the issue of overcrowding in prisons.
He added that the department is also in the process of implementing the release on licence involving home detention.
Nanta said the construction of the Lahad Datu prison, which cost RM176mil, started in 2017. It was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).
