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KOTA KINABALU: The Prisons Department is capable of becoming a leading correctional agency in the region, says Deputy Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah.
He added that its education- and rehabilitation-based approach would help it attain such recognition.
“The department plays an important role in rebuilding an individual’s potential through rehabilitation and correctional programmes,” he said when closing the department’s training course in Tuaran near here on Thursday (Feb 1).
He said the department had recorded many achievements in its mission to help inmates rebuild their lives, proving itself to be a professional organisation.
Shamsul also noted that prison wardens and officials continuously equipped themselves with the latest knowledge on management and rehabilitation techniques.
“As we know, the duties and responsibilities of a prison official are challenging, risky and far from easy.
"If they are not well trained or lack experience, they might not be able to carry out their duties with confidence,” he said.
He also said a warden's duty was not confined within prison walls but extended to parole programmes, reintegration and Licensed Prisoner Release (OBB), among others.
He said these initiatives helped reduce operational costs for the department as well as the recidivism rate.
“These achievements do not mean we should be complacent, but should encourage prison officials to strive for more and aim towards becoming the leading correctional agency in this region,” he added.
Shamsul said some of the department's correctional programmes are already being used as examples and guidance in other countries.
He also congratulated the 262 trainees, 172 Sabahans and 90 Sarawakians, urging them to learn from their seniors and always strive to perform their jobs well.
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