My Longkang

In commenting on claims by Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in an English daily yesterday that juvenile delinquents who are being detained in prisons are not provided with counselling or rehabilitation, Prisons Department public relations officer Abdul Razak Darus yesterday clarified that it was not true and also the department has never allowed hard-core criminals to have contact with juvenile prisoners.

They have their meals separately and stay in separate blocks.

Abdul Razak said special rehabilitation programs are provided for juveniles detained in prisons. He said, “There is a learning module prepared for the youngsters. For those who insist on continuing their education, we have tutors from non-governmental organizations coming in to teach them. If a juvenile is not interested in education, then we place him or her in various workshops where they are taught technical skills such as electrical wiring or plumbing,”

He also took the opportunity to thank NGOs for the computer units which has enabled juveniles in prison to be provided with computer lessons.

I am glad that Prisons Department public relations officer Abdul Razak Darus yesterday made the clarification. Prison for juveniles is a place for corrective rehabilitation, not a place to punish them. Eventually when they come out, they have to be given a fair chance to fit into society again. I fear if mingling were allowed with the hard-core criminals, they might become scarred for life.