KUALA LUMPUR: Second Chance Community Home founder Daniel Lew expressed belief that reintegration after prison succeeds only when support is consistent, practical and deeply human.
Established in 2008, the transitional residence located at Jalan Pisang, Taman Shanghai in Kuala Lumpur works closely with faith-based prison outreach groups to help former inmates prepare for life after release.
The groups, including the Catholic Prison Fellowship Association, Prison Fellowship Malaysia and Malaysian Care, regularly conduct classes and mentoring sessions in prisons across the Klang Valley and in other areas such as Bentong.
Through these visits, long-term relationships are often formed between volunteers and inmates.
As release dates draw closer, many prisoners admit they are uncertain about what comes next.
“Most of them come out with no plan. They need time to stabilise before they could make proper decisions,” said Lew.
Volunteers frequently reach out to Second Chance when they encounter individuals who require temporary housing and guidance.
Previously, Lew would personally collect newly released inmates from prison gates or nearby transport points.
Today, placements are coordinated through the Prison Department under the Licensed Prisoner Release programme, following formal assessments.
He said while many stays are brief, the home’s core focus remains unchanged: personal development, discipline and readiness for employment.
Former inmate Paul Xavier Jolianos joined Second Chance after serving his sentence to help him transition back into society.
Over seven months, Lew noted clear improvements in his discipline, attitude and work ethic, with employers praising his reliability and consistency.
“Our role is to prepare them so employers don’t face unnecessary disruption. When someone is ready, everyone benefits.”
Residents are placed in jobs across differet sectors, including food services, laundrettes and other small and medium-sized businesses.
Lew expressed hope that such placements would expand as collaboration grows between non-governmental organisations, counsellors, employers and the Prison Department.
Drawing on decades of experience, Lew said reintegration efforts are most effective when engagement is sustained rather than symbolic.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight. If one person makes it back into society, that already matters.”
He added that rehabilitation is not influenced by race, background or geography but by whether an individual is given the right tools and support.
He also said education, counselling and regular follow-ups are essential in reducing relapse and reoffending.
Having worked in prison-related rehabilitation since 1990, he said he has never sought public recognition.
Instead, he views personal transformation as the measure of success.
Interest in the Second Chance model has recently grown, with prison officers from other regions, including the East Coast, approaching Lew to explore similar collaborations.
From his experience, one of the most pressing needs for those leaving prison is basic stability, particularly access to food and housing.
Second Chance operates primarily through private support and personal networks rather than government funding.
Lew said financial considerations have never guided the mission.
“My time is spent on people. Guidance, follow-up and staying connected – that’s what makes the difference.
“Many genuinely want to change. But without the right structure, it is very hard.”
At its core, Second Chance aims to provide more than shelter, offering stability, discipline and encouragement within a supportive setting.
“Without compassion, this work cannot be sustained. But with consistency and care, lives could change.”
