The number of prisoners applying for parole until November this year increased to 2,963 compared to 2,359 last year, said Home Ministry deputy secretary-general (security) Datuk Alwi Ibrahim.

He said the applicants were made up of prisoners committing various types of offences.

"We are glad to get good response from companies who are willing to give opportunities to prisoners granted parole to redeem themselves," he told reporters during the North Zone Outreach Programme organised by the Prison Department here, Tuesday.

Alwi said 85.79 per cent or 2,542 of the parole applications were approved so far this year compared to 81.05 percent or 1,912 last year.

He said although three per cent of the prisoners granted parole were made up of repeat offenders, their development was being monitored.