KUCHING: The drastic measure taken by the Prisons Department to reduce congestion in prisons to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 among inmates has received praise.
“The release-on-license (ROL) for minor offenders is a commendable effort,” said Advocates Association of Sarawak, Kuching committee member Dayangku Sa’adiah Pangiran Datuk Seri Hipni.
The move, she opined, would serve as a soft entry back to society for inmates.
“And I hope the Prisons Department will monitor the transition of the inmates to ensure it is coordinated smoothly and also help the inmates with any arising difficulties,” she told New Sarawak Tribune when contacted on Thursday (Oct 8).
On transferring inmates charged under Section 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act to National Service Training Programme Camps (PLKN), she described the move as sensible in addressing overcrowding issue.
Dayangku Saadiah, a practicing lawyer, pointed out stringent measures must be observed to ensure effective implementation.
“It is good to know that the training programme campsites are being utilised again instead of being left idle.
“Rehabilitation efforts for the inmates can be done through interesting and target-oriented modules so that they can adapt to their surroundings once they have served their sentences.”
She said although the inmates were confined and isolated in prisons and detention centres, overcrowding in prisons should not be taken lightly.
“Congestion in prisons is like a time bomb waiting to explode.
“With the camps being used as alternative designated prison sites, safety measures to protect society against these inmates must be set up.
“There is the issue of safety in terms of health and the wellbeing of the society. The surging infections among inmates must be addressed effectively.”
On Wednesday (Oct 6), the Prisons Department announced that inmates would be segregated to maximise efforts to prevent further Covid-19 infections and reduce congestion in prisons.
