Imprisonment should be Humane and Decent
Prison conditions have not received the attention they deserve in Malaysia. From what little is known, imprisonment appears to be a difficult, distressful, and dismal experience. While imprisonment is not meant to be a comfortable, country-club experience, it should still be humane and decent, with some restrictions on personal freedom and mobility.
The Current State of Prison Conditions
Information on prison conditions remains scarce and sketchy. From what little is known, imprisonment appears to be some kind of enforced confinement with basic, peevishly primitive, and plebeian post-World War 2 conditions. It would seem that after a series of trials in a posh air-conditioned courtroom, a convicted individual who has exhausted all appeals is taken in a secure vehicle to serve the sentence in a fortified, walled, and sparsely equipped prohibited area.
Beyond the stigma of a prison sentence, he or she must wear prison-issued garments, endure basic bedding and sleeping arrangements, share toilet and washing facilities, and adhere to strict regulations on diet, exercise, and outdoor time. There is no indication of when these prison conditions were last reviewed or improved.
The Need for Change
Imprisonment carries a punitive attribute, but there are also elements of remorse, reflection, and rehabilitation involved. Sentencing a person to prison, including a former prime minister, is a difficult and demanding duty for any judge. Parliament enacted these laws with a mandatory prison sentence, often at the behest of the executive, led by the prime minister. Judges have no discretion to modify or reduce the sentence because the laws are written that way for particular offences.
We have to move beyond the seeming "one-sentence-fits-all" phase. It is about time that the whole concept of prison sentences and conditions is reviewed to distinguish between violent or heinous crimes and non-contact crimes, such as drug addiction and trafficking, petty theft, and white-collar crime.
A More Humane Approach
Forcing white-collar criminals to endure the same harsh conditions as violent offenders in confined, partitioned spaces is manifestly inappropriate. There has to be a realisation that crimes must be classified according to their specific nature. Incarceration conditions must also vary, according to the seriousness of intent, nature, and specificity of a crime.
Further provisions must be made for white-collar criminals to serve the latter part of their prison sentence in a strictly regulated and monitored home environment. Those eligible for such arrangements should prepay an appropriate levy to cover the costs of prison personnel, monitoring, and other necessary provisions.
A More Modern and Humane Prison System
As our nation progresses, we must ensure that prisoners are adequately cared for, protected from untoward danger, and adequately fed and accommodated humanely. There has to be impartiality, evenhandedness, and equality in the treatment and handling of different classes of prisoners. No prisoner must be made to feel like a hapless victim of a deficient and out-of-date prison system.
To modernize and keep our prison authorities abreast of the latest developments, prison officers must be sent abroad to observe incarceration conditions in advanced economies such as Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea.
Conclusion
Imprisonment should be humane and decent, with some restrictions on personal freedom and mobility. It is time to review and improve prison conditions, taking into account the specific nature and seriousness of each crime. By doing so, we can ensure that our prison system is fair, effective, and humane.
FAQs
- What are the current prison conditions in Malaysia?
The current prison conditions in Malaysia are not well-documented and are considered to be basic and primitive. - Why is imprisonment not meant to be a comfortable experience?
Imprisonment is meant to be a punitive measure, but it also serves as a means of rehabilitation and reflection for the individual. - Why should white-collar criminals be treated differently from violent offenders?
White-collar crimes are non-violent and do not pose a threat to public safety, and therefore, should be treated differently. - How can prison conditions be improved?
Prison conditions can be improved by providing better living conditions, education, and rehabilitation programs for prisoners.