THE RIGHT TO HEALTH IN PRISON:
RESULTS OF A NATIONWIDE SURVEY AND REPORT
properly trained prison staff, including providing sufficient supervision
during exercise times, such as adequate numbers of staff and possible
additional measures such as CCTV surveillance, in addition to separating
different categories of prisoners during exercise time (e.g. remand and
convicted prisoners).
4.130 At this juncture, the Commission wishes to commend the Taiping Prison
for encouraging and allowing prisoners to participate in the celebration of
various religious festivities events or holidays as these activities can help
boost morale.
Rehabilitation Programmes
4.131 The Commission notes that prisoner’s rehabilitation is one of the
central purposes of correctional services in the country. Since 2011,
the community rehabilitation programme conducted by the Prisons
Department’s Rehabilitation Division consists of three sections, namely
entrepreneurship and vocational section, welfare and education section,
and special treatment section.161
4.132 Among others, the objective of the rehabilitation programme is to
improve physical, mental and moral development of society based on
moral values.162 During the orientation phase, prisoners receive a briefing
and health screening among others. This is followed by an orientation
process which includes physical training (marching), counselling,
spiritual activities and an evaluation process. In the second phase, the
Commission was informed that prisoners are exposed to other activities
including religious classes.
4.133 During the vocational phase, prisoners will be provided with opportunities
to equip themselves with a form of skill or trade including tailoring,
welding and baking. Every prisoner involved in the rehabilitation
programme will receive a certificate of completion (Sijil Kemahiran
Malaysia) upon completing a six month training in prison, as well as
financial incentives based on their category (determined by the colour of
clothes):
http://www.malaysiandigest.com/frontpage/282-main-tile/554019-adjusting-to-life-outside-prison-do-ex-offenders-have-achance.html accessed on 23/2/16.
162
http://www.prison.gov.my/portal/page/portal/english/pemulihan_en accessed on 23/2/16.
161
93