PETALING JAYA: Having dropped out of school when he was 10, Abbee (not his real name) has led a rather hard life.
He earned a living by washing dishes and then worked at a pig farm.
ALSO READ: ‘Act review could aid inmates’ reintegration’
When he was 12, Abbee taught himself to swim and became an accomplished swimming coach.
But during his teens, he was entangled with bad hats and picked up smoking and drinking.
He then got involved in gangsterism and other illicit activities.
“I was physically stronger than the others and had a short fuse. When I got drunk, I would get very violent to the point that people feared me,” he said in an interview.
This led to numerous brushes with the law, and he was incarcerated several times at police lockups.
In his 30s, Abbee decided to tone down and lay low.
But three years ago, he was arrested at a roadblock for drunk driving and was sentenced to 21 days in jail and a hefty RM10,000 fine.
“Being in the lockup and prison are two completely different things,” he said.
“When I was released from prison, people who once spoke with me looked at me differently,” he said.
“There’s a stigma against me. It’s difficult to get any type of job. I even tried to apply for a job as a security guard, but the company did not hire me due to my record.”
Abbee, now 56, is doing odd jobs to earn money but he is not letting his past stop him.
He issued a stern reminder to others to never drink and drive.
He has also found solace in religion and holds on to his faith dearly.
“I will not stop working. I have done so all my life, and I will never beg.
“I can still play my part in society, and I’m open to any jobs to make an income,” he said.
Abbee is one of many former prisoners struggling to get a second chance at life after serving their time.
Social activist Samuel Krishnan said the stigma associated with being in prison persists, stressing that a good support system is needed to help former inmates reintegrate into society.
The Shalom Community Character Development Centre founder said effective psychology and counselling sessions within prisons and upon release can also go a long way in helping former inmates, especially those who served long sentences.
Samuel, whose centre houses former prisoners and those battling addiction, further stressed the importance of empowering inmates with vocational skills.
“The skills can also provide them an avenue to earn a living,” he said.
“Once they learn, they can also find joy and passion in the process,” added Samuel, who teaches the home’s occupants agricultural and other vocational skills.
Samuel, who is a licensed football coach, also involves the home’s occupants in sports and other forms of physical activities such as hiking.
Of the many he has helped throughout his 30 years of working with former inmates, he said about 60% have gone on to excel in their ventures.
He stressed that those working to rehabilitate former inmates should have passion for their task.
“We have to really want to help them and not do it just for the sake of doing things,” said Samuel.
