More than 17,000 prisoners paroled since 2008: Nur Jazlan

KLUANG: More than 17,000 prisoners have been paroled in the past nine years, since the system was introduced in 2008.
However, many families did not support their own family members (prisoner) for this program, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said this after attending at 227th Malaysia Prison Day and National Anti-Drug Day at Simpang Rengam prison in Saturday.
He said, the parole system reduced the burden of the prison, and prisoners also have a second chance start on a clean slate once they step out of prison.
He urged restaurants and retailers to provide job opportunities for prisoners who have been paroled.
He said, for those under the parole system, parents or family members must be their guarantors.
"It is sad to know that many parents do not take up the challenge."
Some 30% of prisoners under the parole system failed to meet the requirement and ended up in prison again.
Currently there are 58,730 prisoners in Malaysia, with foreigners making up 30% of the prison population.
The daily cost for per head in prison is about RM35.