A total of 9,425 job opportunities have been offered to prison prospects this year, with 6,165 successfully placed in employment as of yesterday.
KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the Prison Department has established strategic collaborations with 735 employers through the Corporate Smart Internship (CSI) programme.
The initiative provides employment for parolees, licenced ex-inmates, inmates with temporary release, and individuals under industrial supervision.
“This programme not only helps reduce prison congestion but also equips prospects with skills relevant to the current job market,” he said during the Dewan Negara question-and-answer session.
He was responding to a question from Senator Datuk Shamsuddin Abd Ghaffar on the effectiveness of work and industrial training programmes for prison prospects.
Shamsul Anuar added that the term ‘prison prospects’ refers to inmates participating in rehabilitation or character-building programmes.
These programmes aim to change public perception and provide second chances to individuals serving sentences.
Since 2016, the Prison Department has implemented the Community Rehabilitation Programme, which includes initiatives such as CSI.
This enables prospects to gain real work experience, improve skills, and receive ongoing support from both the community and industry.
“These initiatives not only reduce the country’s reliance on foreign labour but also contribute to the growth and strengthening of the domestic economy,” he said.
Separately, while responding to a question from Senator Norhasmimi Abdul Ghani, Shamsul Anuar addressed police standard operating procedures for roadblock locations.
He said checkpoints after toll plazas are suitable as they meet the criteria outlined in JSPT Director’s Order No. 26 on Traffic Roadblock Procedures.
He added that roadblocks would be dispersed if congestion occurs to prevent severe traffic jams.
