The Home Ministry has proposed to fund prison activities with the proceeds from products made by prisoners, which now total RM21.6 million.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at present the proceeds were handed over to the Finance Ministry.
"I will apply to the cabinet to fund a part of prison activities with the proceeds," he said after opening the Prison Well-being Seminar at the Kajang Prison near here on Saturday.
The products, which are made by prisoners who undergo skills training, include songket cloth, batik, snacks and handicrafts.
He added that the Ministry also intended to set up a foundation and transfer the profits and assets from the sale of these products for the purposes of funding and allowance.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid noted that so far only 0.34 percent of the 15,183 inmates who had undergone external rehabilitation programmes ended up as repeat offenders.
"An estimated 90 percent of the inmates who had completed the programmes managed to secure jobs and some have even gone into business with the help of agencies and programmes such as TEKUN, 1AZAM, GIATMARA and the Agriculture Department," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said last year's rate of recidivism was 7.61 percent, an improvement compared to 2012, proving the effectiveness of the Prisons Department's rehabilitation programmes.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said at present the proceeds were handed over to the Finance Ministry.
"I will apply to the cabinet to fund a part of prison activities with the proceeds," he said after opening the Prison Well-being Seminar at the Kajang Prison near here on Saturday.
The products, which are made by prisoners who undergo skills training, include songket cloth, batik, snacks and handicrafts.
He added that the Ministry also intended to set up a foundation and transfer the profits and assets from the sale of these products for the purposes of funding and allowance.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid noted that so far only 0.34 percent of the 15,183 inmates who had undergone external rehabilitation programmes ended up as repeat offenders.
"An estimated 90 percent of the inmates who had completed the programmes managed to secure jobs and some have even gone into business with the help of agencies and programmes such as TEKUN, 1AZAM, GIATMARA and the Agriculture Department," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said last year's rate of recidivism was 7.61 percent, an improvement compared to 2012, proving the effectiveness of the Prisons Department's rehabilitation programmes.
