'Ties of Love' campaign shows positive change in convict

KAJANG: Human beings contrite after committing wrong doings and on the whole they bear the consequences and punishment.
Kajang prison director Senior Assistant Commissioner Abdul Halim said a total of 36 convicts were given the opportunity to meet their loved ones in conjunction of the Chinese New Year festival.
"The criteria to meet is one must be in their last year of conviction, or family who stays far away, or special cases like life imprisonment," he said during the 'Ties of Love' campaign, in Kajang Prison where 250 inmates and 120 family members involved.
He said this campaign is to bring closer the bond between the convicts and family members.
"This yearly held programme on every festive seasons has made many convicts realise the importance of having a family member to support them during their conviction," he said.
"With this programme, they recovered from their past conviction with a positive impact and discovering their hidden talents too (after witnessing a group of inmates performs 'Dikir Barat' during the campaign)," he added.
This is also to provide firm reassurance to the convict's family that prison is not as scary as it seems.
Convict, Keng, 29, servicing his 4th year sentence, charged with manslaughter under penal code 304, imprisoned for 20 years said his life is getting better in the prison because he gets to study under Open University Malaysia (OUM) while servicing his sentence.
"I'm currently pursuing Degree in Business and Administration. The wardens guides me in using the internet to allocate information and studying," he said, speaking to reporters after meeting his family members who hail from Alor Setar.
"I want to take this opportunity to apologise to my parents for causing so much trouble and yet they are still right beside me during my hard times," he added.
Keong, 39, servicing his 11th year sentence, charged with Section 4 of the Firearms Act, which carries a sentence of life imprisonment is still trying hard to appeal to lessen his sentence and has not given up hope.
"I graduated from Diploma in Business Management from MOU and picked up sewing as my interest, I sew my own uniform too," he said with all smiles and laughter after hugging his sister goodbye.
Keong, last child of four siblings, also knows what it feels like missing his own blood ties.
"I miss my daughter, but now isn't the right time to let her know who I am (a convict)," he added.
According to statistics, Kajang prison managed to maintain less than 3% recidivists record, which concluded 2.5%, mostly on drug offence.