PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN TO REHABILITATE INMATES IN THE MALAYSIAN CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM

Rehabilitation has been the primary objective of the Malaysian correctional system. The Malaysia Prisons Department has recently taken a bold step to improve its rehabilitation program by transforming its traditional practice into a new comprehensive, systematic and well-integrated rehabilitation program known as “Pelan Pembangunan Insan” or Personal Development Plan. This program consists of integrated approaches designed to reform and equip inmates with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes through a series of modules that include physical and spiritual activities. An inmate has to undergo through the incarceration process once he or she enters the penal system. They will have to go through and complete the four phases of the plan over a minimum period of three years. The program can be divided into four phases, i.e., the orientation phase, personality enhancement phase, vocational training phase and pre-release phase.

During orientation session, an inmate will have to attend several modules aimed to familiarise inmates about the prison rules and regulations, personal development, positive values, patriotism, sports and recreational activities, and program evaluation for a period of three months. Then it will proceed with the second phase of the program known as Personality Enhancement for another six to twelve months. During this stage, the inmates will be exposed to spiritual activities, Therapeutic Community, counselling sessions, human development, and other more specific and specialised modules. The third phase of the program emphasizes on inmates acquiring certified vocational skills, joint venture scheme, industries, agricultural activities, and sports talents. Finally, the inmates will go through the final stage of the program for a period of between six months to a year. The inmates will be involved in the pre-release program designed for their successful re-integration into the larger society. In this particular program, the inmates will be allowed to work outside the correctional facilities such as in factories, community services, giving talks to school, students and the local community.

Personal Development Plan Framework

Orientation (First Phase)

Therapeutic Community (T.C.) (Second Phase)