KUALA LUMPUR: Nineteen out of 43 prisons nationwide, especially those in major cities, have exceeded their inmate capacity by more than 20 per cent.

The Prisons Department in a statement said the community rehabilitation programme (CRP) and other alternative sentencing options, including the home detention order, could reduce overcrowding, lower the high incarceration rate and save cost for the government.

"The Malaysian Prisons Department has strengthened and expanded various initiatives to reduce overcrowding in prison institutions. The department fully supports the proposal for alternative sentencing by establishing the Home Detention Act, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2025 presentation.

"Prison facilities have seen a significant increase in inmate numbers beyond their actual capacity, with a total of 74,146 inmates compared with the current overall capacity of 87,419 up to Nov 6 (exceeding by 11.24 per cent). There are currently 82,482 individuals (94.35 per cent) in prison and 4,937 (5.65 per cent) in the community.

"The current incarceration rate is 245 per 100,000 residents, compared with the global average of 145 per 100,000. This high rate negatively impacts the country's image in terms of public safety and welfare from a global perspective. Malaysia has 43 prison institutions nationwide, with 19 of them exceeding capacity by over 20 per cent, especially those in major cities," it said.

Under the legal provisions of Sections 43, 46 and 47 of the Prisons Act 1995, the government, through the Home Ministry, had the authority to introduce alternative sentences via the CRP and implement the "Corporate Smart Internship" (CSI) Programme, including the CSI Parole Programme, CSI Licensed Inmate Programme (PBSL), CSI Licence-Free Programme (PBL) and the Industrial Resident Reintegration Programme for eligible inmates.

The department said the recidivism under the CRP was notably low, at only 0.24 per cent, compared with 17.6 per cent for those who undergo rehabilitation solely in prison facilities.

"In this regard, establishing the Home Detention Act as an alternative punishment would allow eligible individuals to serve their sentences at home, under specific conditions and schedules. This would restrict movements to the home, similar to the movement control order (MCO) during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw a decrease in crime in Malaysia.

"Additionally, the CRP and other alternative sentencing options can reduce prison overcrowding, lower the current high incarceration rate and save cost for the government. It also provides a second chance for individuals to prove they can still contribute positively to their families, society and the nation," it said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/11/1130562/prisons-dept-home-detention-can-reduce-cost-overcrowding