Prisoners released early happy to celebrate Aidilfitri with families
KOTA KINABALU - A total of 16 inmates from the Kota Kinabalu Central Prison and Kota Kinabalu Women's Prison did not expect that they would be released earlier than the jail term they had to serve.
Their release was made under the Licensed Prisoner Release (OBB) programme which was implemented nationwide.
For four of the Muslim inmates, Hari Raya came early for them as they had the chance to celebrate it with their families on Syawal 1.
An inmate known as Hafiz, 26, said he did not expect to be released from jail earlier as he was scheduled to be released in September.
"I was happy when they informed me that I would be released earlier. I did not expect to be given a chance to celebrate Hari Raya with my wife and child," he said when met at the Central Prison mini hall, here, today.
His wife known as Lisa, 23, said she hoped that her husband will change for the better and not return back to prison.
"He was influenced by his friends causing him to be involved with drugs and he was sentenced to jail for four months now.
"I am disappointed and tired because I had to take over the responsibility of supporting the family by working two jobs at the same time. I hope when he returns he will redeem himself and not ruin our relationship," she said.
Another inmate known as Mariam, 25, said the first thing she wanted to do on Syawal 1 was to visit her parents' graves.
"After several months in prison what I missed the most is to be together with my family and I want to fast with my siblings.
"I decided to learn how to fast, recite the Quran and pray while I was in prison. This is the biggest hikmah (wisdom) of being in prison for me," she said.
Mariam was supposed to be released on July 24. She was imprisoned for consuming methamphetamine (drugs).
"I was arrested while I was taking drugs with my colleagues, but they managed to escape.
"I was addicted to drugs five years ago and this was the first time I was caught. I regret it and I promise not to be involved in it again. I want to work and help reduce my family's burden," she said.
Kota Kinabalu Women's Prison director Kasumawati Ilas said the programme themed "Awaited Return" of the prisoners was implemented at all prisons nationwide.
"At the Women's Prison, an inmate was released while 15 others who were released were from the Kota Kinabalu Central prison.
"They were released as they fulfilled the criteria or conditions. They were those who had to serve jail terms of less than one year, separated from the parole programme as well as those who fully complied with the rehabilitation programmes throughout their detention.
"Those who have been released were involved in drug offences under Section 15 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952," she said.
Kota Kinabalu Central Prison deputy director Mohamad Sa'ad Bantalani said through the programme, it would help reduce the government's spending costs on labour as well as overcapacity in prisons.
"Following statistics, Sabah is the largest contributor for the OBB implementation and this would overcome the issue of packed prisons, here.
"The confortable capacity of the Central Prison is 1,329 inmates, but today it has reached 2,576 which raises concerns as it was becoming packed.
"We believe that this type of programme has been ongoing each month and there would be OBB daily and even though we have not reached 100 per cent in solving the issue of packed prisons, it could still ease the burden and congestion as well as discomfort of inmates.
"However, so far, the situation is still under our control and we believe that the rehabilitation programmes in prisons are going well," he said.
