By: Zaki Saleh
TAIPING – Fifteen companies from various sectors are participating in the Youturn Program, organised by the Perak State Prison, to provide training and skills to selected inmates.
Those participating in the Licensed Prisoner Release Program (PBSL), who are outside the prison walls as Licensed Free Persons (OBB), are placed in various employment sectors.
This initiative aims to raise public awareness and encourage community involvement in aiding inmate rehabilitation.
Among the local companies involved are Spritzer and Toyo Tires.
Perak State Prison Director, Deputy Commissioner of Prisons C. Charin Promwichit, stated that the program also helps reduce government costs and the number of prison inmates.
“A total of 110 OBBs are participating in the program, with some of them being employed by companies under the corporate smart collaboration (CSI) program.
“Of this number, 74 OBBs are from Tapah Prison, 24 from Taiping Prison, and 12 from the Kamunting Correctional Center. This provides inmates with exposure and helps transform their lives,” he said.
He made these remarks to reporters after officiating the Closing Ceremony of the YouTurn Program at the Auditorium Ilmu, Malaysian Prison Officers Training Center (Pulapen) Perak.
The selected OBBs are those involved in minor crimes and serving prison sentences of three years or less.
Charin elaborated that OBBs, also known as prospects, undergo various screening processes before being approved to join the program.
“The YouTurn Program held today is organised by Malaysia Care and the Taiping Community Service Association (ESDA).
“OBBs working at selected companies also enjoy the facilities provided by their employers, including the minimum wage set by the government,” he added.
Since its inception in 2016, the CSI program has involved 115 companies and employed over 52,258 prospects released on parole orders and 9,143 OBBs nationwide.
