Kuala lumpur: The Home Ministry is nearing the completion of amendments to the Minor Offences Act 1955, aiming to expand the scope of minor offences beyond those punishable by imprisonment of four years or less. Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail highlighted that the proposed changes would allow offences carrying jail terms of up to 10 years to be classified as minor offences, a move targeted at alleviating the overcrowded prison system.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the current inmate population has exceeded 87,000, surpassing the original capacity of 75,000. This overcrowding situation exposes inmates to various risks, including disease outbreaks, altercations, and substandard living conditions. The proposed amendment also plans to widen the scope of the existing inmate employment programme, which presently only includes those serving sentences of less than four years.
Minister Saifuddin emphasized that raising the eligibility threshold to offences with sentences of up to 10 years would significantly enlarge the pool of inmates eligible for the employment programme. However, he assured that this would not be implemented indiscriminately, as each case would undergo a thorough screening process. This involves assessments of inmates' behavior, disciplinary records, and whether they are first-time offenders.
The minister shared details about the current employment initiative, which has seen participation from over 900 employers across various sectors, such as services and plantations, which are facing labour shortages. The initiative not only assists industries in addressing workforce gaps but also facilitates the reintegration of inmates into society while enabling them to earn an income.
Feedback from employers involved in the programme has been positive, with a notably low recidivism rate among former inmates participating in the initiative. Inmates involved in the programme are housed in secured accommodations provided either by the employers or at facilities rented by the ministry at National Service Training Centres. This arrangement ensures effective monitoring, as inmates work during the day and return to their accommodations in the evening, rather than remaining in prison.