Kota Kinabalu: Some 415 prisoners in Sabah and Labuan were freed as part of the Licensed Prisoner Release (OBB) programme between January and March this year. It was initiated in 2020.
Sabah ranked the highest in number of prisoners released nationwide, followed by Selangor. For the record, a total of 1,436 prisoners in Sabah and Labuan were released under OBB since 2020.
Currently, 200 prisoners in Sabah are undergoing the programme in terms of monitoring. On Wednesday, 38 were released under the programme held simultaneously nationwide for the first time.
From the 38, some 15 are from the Kota Kinabalu Central Prison, one from the Kota Kinabalu Women’s Prison, 10 from Tawau Prisons, five from Sandakan Prisons and six from the Labuan Correctional Centre. The bulk are serving time for drug-related offences and have met the requirements and stages established by the Prisons Department in order to be eligible for the programme.
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She said the programme is effective and proven through the achievement of the recidivism rate which is 0.24 per cent compared to prisoners who undergo full rehabilitation which was 18.6 per cent last year.
Inmates eligible for OBB are those serving less than a year and had served one-third of their sentence, have completed or are currently completing the rehabilitation programme and have a guarantee from their employer, family, or a non-governmental organisation to provide a place to live as well as a job.
Upon release, they are monitored by the District Parole Officer in their area via home visits, employer visits or phone calls.
There are 191 females doing time at the Kota Kinabalu prisons, which can accommodate up to 400 at any given time. A total of 2,576 males are serving time in KK prisons that can house 1,329 at any given time.
“We hope by having this OBB programme, more prisoners will be able to complete their remaining prison time and rehabilitation in the community,” said Mohammad Sa’ad Bantalani, Deputy Director of Kota Kinabalu Prisons Central.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced the Licensed Prisoner Release Ihsan Madani scheme which would see more than 1,000 convicts released under licence throughout Ramadan and Syawal.
One of the beneficiaries, Sarah (not her real name) is relieved to be able to return home and celebrate Hari Raya with her family. The 24-year-old had been in jail for three months for drug abuse.
Another prisoner Noro (not his real name), aged 36, who has been in and out of prison thrice, is eager to turn over a new leaf.
In SANDAKAN, five prisoners were released. Sandakan Prisons Director Ab Nasif Sarahan said all were serving less than a year for substance abuse and fights. Ab Nasif noted the effectiveness of rehabilitation in the community among prisoners compared to undergoing rehabilitation in prison.
He said rehabilitation is important in ensuring family and community support for them (prisoners) and being accepted in the community after the end of the sentence. Two of those freed, aged 44 and 29, were grateful for the opportunity to meet their families this festive season.
“Drugs brings a lot of problems and I hope youngsters, especially, will stay away from substance abuse,” said one.
Family members of those released under OBB were equally happy.
“This is our chance to celebrate the festive season together because we have never celebrated without them,” said mothers and wives to some of the OBBs.
Siblings, children, grandchildren and other relatives were also present to welcome the prisoners.
In TAWAU, Rusdi Ismail was among 10 prisoners released. He had been in and out of prison four times for drugs in three years and swore not to repeat his mistakes.
The 32-year-old from Kunak said he would find work and spend valuable time with his family because he was moved by the acceptance of those who remain willing to wait for his homecoming.
“I will live with my stepmother’s family in Kunak, look for work and try to better myself,” said the eighth of 10 siblings.
He said time in prison taught him many valuable lessons, including strengthening his religious knowledge, learning the importance of duty and appreciating others.
“All the officers treat the prisoners well...I do not want to go in again. I do not want to be separated from my family anymore,” said the former restaurant staff. “After this, I will be more careful in choosing friends so as not to get trapped again.” he said.
Prisoner Management Director Ajidin Salleh reminded all the OBBs to appreciate their early release by not repeating mistakes or crimes.
“Don’t waste this privilege (early release)... Hopefully this is your last step here in the prison. Know that when you are in prison, there are responsibilities that you leave behind, there are children and wives that you leave behind.
“Prison life provides you with meals and clothing, but think about the responsibilities you leave behind, think about the meals and welfare of your children, spouse and parents,” he said.
He also reminded OBBs to learn to adapt to society and not isolate themselves, because those who are released are those who want to start afresh.
At the same time, he reminded families and employers to open their hearts to help and welcome these prisoners so that they will not return to their old ways of engaging in crime.
He also said that 16,073 prisoners out of the 17,760 who applied for the OBB nationwide have been released since 2020.
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