Prison Recidivism Rate Now At 16 Pct, Below Global Benchmark

KAJANG, Sept 3 (Bernama) -- The recidivism rate, or repeat offences committed by former inmates nationwide, has recorded only 16 per cent so far this year, lower than the international benchmark of 20 per cent.

Senior Director of Prison Policy at the Prisons Department, Mohamad Rosidek Musa, said this demonstrated the effectiveness of various rehabilitation programmes offered by the department, including music therapy, religious approaches, vocational education and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) workshops.

“Ultimately, when former inmates secure employment after their release, to us, that is the true measure of success,” he told reporters after officiating Kajang Prison’s 68th National Day celebration with ‘Persatuan Generasi Teras Madani’ here today.

Rosidek said the department is strengthening inmate rehabilitation through music therapy, which forms part of the Biopsychosocial Spiritual Model adopted by the Prisons Department.

“Music therapy is not new, but it is now being implemented more systematically and on a larger scale with performances and competitions.

“Similarly, art therapy through painting has been practised for some time… This is proof that the rehabilitation programmes of the Prisons Department not only emphasise discipline, but also give attention to emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions,” he said.

At the event, inmates staged various performances including the pantomime ‘Bukit Kepong Incident’, poetry recitations and patriotic songs.

Separately, Rosidek said the department recorded RM129,000 in sales of inmate-made products at the Rahmah Sale held over four days at the Prison Complex in conjunction with National Day last week.

He said the sales involved a range of products made by inmates nationwide, including ‘kerepek’, woven fabrics and handicrafts.

-- BERNAMA