KOTA KINABALU: The Home Ministry (KDN) is considering the International Transfer of Prisoners (ITP) scheme to reduce overcrowding in prison.
Deputy-secretary (Security), Datuk Abdul Rahim Mohd Radzi however said that the scheme will only be implemented after getting official approval from the government.
“It is an exchange of prisoners, but it depends on the categories of prisoners. We must use the same system as ITP as our prisons are full of foreigners, not Malaysians,” he told reporters after the Excellent Service Award ceremony of Sabah Prisons Department at Kota Kinabalu Prison here yesterday.
Rahim said the ministry is also developing a detainee rehabilitation module under the new preventive law, expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
The module will incorporate elements of rehabilitation and the ministry will invite experts from various agencies and background to implement it.
He was proud with recognition of the Prisons Department transformation programme by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein during the ministry’s monthly assembly on Feb 23.
“The recidivist rate was kept below 17 percent for paroled persons with chance to undergo punishment in the community, light offenders are allowed to carry out community service and supervised persons are paid allowances from commercial activities in military camps.” — Bernama