Second Chance Behind Bars: Rebuilding Lives Through Rehabilitation In Malaysian Prisons

By Ahmad Aidil Syukri Hamzah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Behind steel doors and barbed-wire fences unfold countless stories of redemption - of individuals longing for a second chance at life. In this newfound world of purpose, they journey with hope to rebuild themselves and reclaim their families’ dignity.

Prisons Department Commissioner-General Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Razak said the shift in terminology from ‘prisoner’ to ‘prospect’ marks a major transformation in the country’s prison philosophy - from a system focused on punishment to one centred on education and rehabilitation.

“We no longer want them to be seen merely as offenders, but as prospects - individuals with the potential to change, improve themselves and contribute back to society,” he said in a recent interview with Bernama.

Although managing more than 90,000 inmates across 43 prison institutions poses a major challenge, various programmes continue to be implemented to ensure that each prospect not only serves their sentence but also acquires the knowledge and values needed to rebuild their lives after release.

Abdul Aziz said that every morning, prospects follow a structured routine under the Human Development Programme (HDP), which focuses on three key pillars - health and treatment, rehabilitation and education, and vocational training aimed at enhancing their employability.

He explained that the HDP consists of four phases - self-discipline orientation, character building, skills training, and reintegration into society through initiatives such as the parole programme, conditional release, and outside-work schemes.

“The evolution of the Prisons Department is no longer about punishment, but rehabilitation,” he said.

Abdul Aziz added that the department also manages the Prison Inmates’ Rehabilitation and Welfare Trust Account, which trains and exposes prospects to productive economic activities in six main sectors - food, services, manufacturing, textiles, agriculture and livestock.

“The income generated from their work is channelled back into training, welfare and self-development programmes, with a portion saved for their use upon release,” he said.

He emphasised that skills and spirituality serve as the two guiding forces that drive meaningful change among prospects. This approach is implemented through 34 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres under the Industrial Vocational Centres nationwide, offering certified courses such as the Malaysian Skills Certificate and the Construction Skills Competency Certificate.

He said that between 2012 and 2024, more than 19,000 prospects had successfully obtained TVET certification, while for 2025 alone, a total of 1,421 prospects are undergoing skills training in collaboration with the Skills Development Department (JPK) and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

“Many came in without any skills but left with certificates and newfound confidence. With skills, they can work and build a life, and a stable livelihood is key to keeping them from returning to crime,” he said.

At the same time, he said the prison tahfiz programme continues to expand in collaboration with state religious councils. There are now 14 tahfiz schools operating within prison institutions, with nearly 300 prospects currently memorising the Quran.

“The tahfiz programme brings peace of mind, while TVET provides strength for life. When these come together - physically, mentally and spiritually - a new person emerges, stronger in identity and faith,” he said.

Abdul Aziz added that the transformation of the rehabilitation landscape is further supported by the Your Second Chance (PEKA), valued at RM7.38 million, launched in 2024 through collaboration between the Home Ministry and the Finance Ministry. The initiative offers TVET training to hundreds of prospects in fields such as electrical work, welding, forklift operation and solid waste management.

“For 2025, the government has approved an additional RM7 million to expand training opportunities for 1,000 prospects at eight vocational centres nationwide. Through this initiative, those who successfully complete the programme will have the chance to be absorbed into various industries, including major companies such as MRCB,” he said.

Abdul Aziz said one of the most significant achievements of this new rehabilitative approach is the remarkably low reoffending rate among participants. Those who underwent TVET and community rehabilitation programmes recorded a rate of less than 0.3 per cent - far below the international benchmark of 20 per cent.

“In contrast, for prospects who do not participate in skills training, the reoffending rate can reach up to 12 per cent within three years after release. When someone has a job, skills and confidence, they gain a sense of direction - and that is the true antidote to reoffending,” he said.

He added that the real challenge begins once rehabilitation ends - when prospects return to society and face the stigma often associated with former prisoners. He said changing these negative perceptions can only be achieved through the success stories of those who rebuild their lives and prove their worth.

To address this issue, the Prisons Department has introduced the community rehabilitation programme and strengthened industry partnerships through the corporate smart internship (CSI) initiative, which provides employment opportunities for prospects upon release. Under this initiative, companies that hire former inmates are eligible for tax exemption incentives of up to RM4,000 per person.

For more than three decades in service, Abdul Aziz has always seen every prospect not merely as an inmate, but as an individual with the potential to rise again. To him, rehabilitation is not only about helping former offenders reintegrate into society - it is also about teaching society to accept them back with compassion and trust.

“Prospects who can once again recite the Quran, put on their work clothes, or rise early to tend the agricultural fields are signs of life returning after darkness. Our duty outside is to give them the space to live on with dignity,” he said, leaving a profound reflection on the true meaning of rehabilitation.

-- BERNAMA