KUALA LUMPUR: The proposal to establish a Home Detention Act to provide for an alternative punishment will help reduce prison overcrowding, lower the current high incarceration rate and save costs for the government, according to the Prisons Department.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prisons Department expressed full support for the proposal to establish alternative punishments, as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during the Budget 2025 presentation on Oct 18. The department highlighted the urgent need for such measures, citing that prison facilities are currently housing inmates beyond their capacity. As of November 5, the number of inmates is 87,419, exceeding the actual capacity by 11.24 percent, with the imprisonment rate standing at 245 per 100,000 population, far above the global average of 145 per 100,000.

The statement further elaborated on the overcapacity issue, indicating that 19 out of 43 prison institutions nationwide are experiencing more than 20 percent overcapacity
, particularly in major cities. The department suggested that legal provisions under sections 43, 46, and 47 of the Prison Act 1995 allow for the introduction of alternative punishments through the Community Rehabilitation Programme (PDK) and initiatives like the Corporate Smart Internship (CSI) Programme.

The department pointed out that the recidivism rate under the Community Rehabilitation Programme is significantly lower, at 0.24 percent, compared to 17.6 percent for those who undergo traditional prison rehabilitation. This highlights the potential effectiveness of alternative punishment methods.

The Prisons Department concluded by emphasizing the necessity of establishing a Home Detention Act as an alternative punishment, enabling inmates to serve their sentences at home under regulated schedules. They also stressed that such programs provide inmates with an opportunity to contribute positively to their families, communities, and the nation.