MARANG: The Prisons Department of Malaysia is targeting at least 30 prisoners throughout the country to earn a degree each year.
Its Academic Sector head, Mohamad Umbaik Ismail said the initiative by the department in collaboration with the Higher Education Ministry was aimed at producing more graduates among prisoners.
“Although incarcerated, their education is not neglected so that they can pursue knowledge to the highest level.
“Our initial effort carried out in 2006 at the Kajang Prison received encouraging response with a number prisoners managing to obtain a master’s degree and PhD.
“Although they are prisoners, they still have the right to pursue education in order to lead a better life after they are released from prison,” he said after visiting the Marang Integration School, here, yesterday.
Mohamad Umbaik said currently, 18 prisoners at Kajang Prison were pursuing the bachelor’s degree and another the master’s, with the number expected to increase, depending on their family’s financial support.
He said among the most popular field of study among prisoners was information communicaton technology (ICT).
He added that the programme would be expanded according to zones soon in order for the Prisons Department to meet its target. — Bernama