Young, Dumb, and a Long Time in Prison
The Story of Amal: A Tale of Second Chances
I recently had the privilege of attending the release of Amal, a man who had spent nearly 24 years in prison. My colleagues and I went to Kajang prison to welcome him back, and it was a moment of pure joy and relief for him and his family.
A Life Sentence Turned Around
Amal’s release was a miracle, considering that his family had once feared he would die in prison. Thanks to the abolition of the mandatory death penalty and natural life sentences in 2023, Amal’s fate changed for the better. After a resentencing hearing in October 2024, he was re-sentenced to a 35-year prison term, with remission factored in, making him a free man again.
A Life Wasted Away
Amal was arrested at the young age of 19, and much of his prime was spent in prison. Our laws in 2001 had consigned him to an indefinite natural life sentence. While he waited for his end in prison, he heard snippets of his family’s struggles and lives outside, often laced with hope that he would be part of that story in the future. I couldn’t imagine the lost opportunities, lost friendships, and lost love that Amal experienced because of his sentence.
The Purpose of Prison
Prison provides some opportunities to further one’s skills through skills training and work. However, I often wondered what the purpose of this skills training was if the eventual fate was for the person to waste away and die in prison. This problem was erased with a single vote in Parliament in 2023.
Mistakes and Second Chances
People make mistakes, and that is just part of the human condition. Second chances and forgiveness are part of growing up and learning about the world around us. While retribution and punitive punishment do have a role in delivering justice, I believe the prison and criminal justice system needs to embrace second chances and forgiveness, as they allow the human species to learn and grow.
A Critique of the System
Critics would likely argue that if Amal was sentenced to a natural life sentence, he must have been a violent and gruesome criminal at the age of 19. However, the truth is more complex. Amal was charged under Section 4 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for threatening a police officer with a pistol before escaping arrest. The most depressing part of his story is that he came into this interaction because he was not wearing a helmet while riding his motorcycle in town. In fear of being arrested, he struggled against the police officers, which led to a police pistol misfiring and him grabbing the firearm. He used the pistol to keep the policemen away and escaped. He subsequently passed the gun to a family friend with a request for it to be returned to the police before he went back home, where he was arrested. There was never any other element of crime associated with Amal, nor was there any prior criminal record.
A Second Chance at Life
From my point of view, Amal served 24 years in prison for being young and foolish. The abolition of the mandatory death penalty gave him and his family a second chance, and they are forever grateful to those who made it possible.
Conclusion
Amal’s story is a powerful reminder that our justice system must prioritize second chances and forgiveness. By doing so, we can help individuals grow and learn from their mistakes, rather than wasting away in prison.
FAQs
* What was Amal’s crime?
+ Amal was charged under Section 4 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for threatening a police officer with a pistol before escaping arrest.
* How long did Amal spend in prison?
+ Amal spent nearly 24 years in prison.
* What was the outcome of Amal’s resentencing hearing?
+ Amal was resentenced to a 35-year prison term, with remission factored in, making him a free man again.