KUANTAN: A total of 889 inmates from Bentong Prison and Penor Prison were released last year through the Licensed Release of Prisoners Programme (PBSL), including the PBSL Ihsan Madani 'A Long-Awaited Return'.
Of those released, 283 were from Bentong Prison and the remaining 606 were from Penor Prison. Additionally, 39 female inmates from Bentong Prison were also released.
Pahang Prisons Department director Datuk Abu Hasan Hussain said the PBSL programme is conducted at least twice a month, involving the release of between four to five inmates for various offences.
He added that for the Ihsan Madani release, seven release programmes were held last year, including those coinciding with Aidilfitri, Aidiladha, Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Independence Day, and Gawai Dayak. The number of prisoners released ranged between seven to 20 individuals for each programme.
According to him, the PBSL programme is held every year to give prisoners who exhibit good behaviour the opportunity to be released earlier. They are also able to celebrate festivities with their families.
"Currently, there are approximately 5,500 prisoners serving sentences at Penor Prison and Bentong Prison for various offences.
"Overcrowding at these two prisons in Pahang can be reduced with the PBSL and PBSL Ihsan Madani 'A Long-Awaited Return' programmes.
"Every month, many male and female prisoners involved in various offences such as drug addiction, theft, robbery, and failure to pay fines are released," he said when contacted here yesterday.
He said the prison authorities constantly collaborate with private companies in various sectors to provide opportunities for prisoners to work upon their release.
Every time a PBSL programme is held, there are companies ready to employ the released prisoners.
Abu Hasan said he hopes families and the community can accept former prisoners to ensure they do not return to unlawful activities.
He also added that many male and female prisoners convicted of drug addiction are repeat offenders. There are prisoners who have been in and out of prison up to 12 times.
"There are cases where families seemingly do not support former prisoners, going as far as to disown them and not allowing them to return home.
"I hope families can reunite to form a happy family, giving full trust to those involved who still have the opportunity to build a better future.
"If these individuals are left without direction and family guidance, it is not impossible for them to return to unhealthy activities and be subsequently arrested by the authorities," he said, anticipating that more prisoners will be released through the PBSL programme this year involving Penor Prison and Bentong Prison.