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Prisoners to be housed in national service camps

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PETALING JAYA: The Prisons Department is segregating inmates to prevent further Covid-19 infections.

In a statement on Tuesday (Oct 6), Prisons director-general Zulkifli Omar said offenders under Section 15 (1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act would be placed in several National Service Training Programme (PLKN) camps that would serve as temporary prisons.

“The total number that can be accommodated in PLKN camps is between 2,300 and 2,800 prisoners.”

The measure, he added, meant releasing inmates under the Licensed Prisoner Release programme (PBSL).

“The department will release inmates on minor offences sentenced to less than one year imprisonment, with less than three months left to serve.

“According to statistics, as of Oct 5, there are 11,018 inmates in this category eligible for PBSL.

“They will have to undergo strict selection criteria and their Covid-19 test must be negative, verified by the Ministry of Health.”

Zulkifli said such measures were necessary following the increasing cases involving inmates (Prisons Cluster).

“The infection among inmates began in Tawau, Sabah after a new inmate from Lahad Datu tested positive on Sept 2, and the next cluster detected involved inmates at Alor Setar Prison on Sept 29.”

As of today, the active cases among prisoners and prison staff nationwide had risen from 453 cases to 1,126.

Zulkifli also advised the public to remain calm since infection was only among inmates placed in closed and restricted areas.

“Thus, the Prisons Department is confident Malaysia can flatten the curve by taking immediate steps under strict regulations from the Ministry of Health and enforcement agencies.”

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