KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 31,742 Licensed Prisoner Release (OBB) have been granted early release through the Licensed Release of Prisoners (PBSL) programme from 2022 to date.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the ministry, via the Prisons Department is committed to implementing various efforts to address overcrowding issues in prisons, particularly through community rehabilitation programmes.
"The PBSL programme can also be considered for categories such as elderly inmates, persons with disabilities, those with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women serving sentences of four years and below.
"The ministry is also studying the implementation of a home detention programme for eligible individuals through the drafting of new legislation as part of efforts to address prison overcrowding and reform prison institutions."
In March, Saifuddin said the government had agreed in principle to implement the PBSL as an effort to reduce overcrowding in prisons.