Such was the emotional experience of Kamarul (not his real name), who was overwhelmed with tears as he reunited with his five children after being apart for over a year.
Kamarul was among several inmates selected to meet their families under the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre’s Aidilfitri Correctional Outreach programme.
Unaware that all his children – currently under the care of the social welfare department (JKM) – would be present, he rushed forward with visible emotion as his children ran to embrace him.
“It was incredibly touching. I was deeply moved by the effort made by the correctional centre in coordinating with JKM to bring my children here. It means the world to me,” he later said.
The reunion, he added, was both heart-wrenching and joyful: Kamarul was sad because he had missed his children so much, but also happy because, for the first time since being admitted to the centre almost 1.5 years ago, he got to hug them again.
“I was told they were really excited to come and see me. It warms my heart. I have waited so long for this moment – only God knows how much my heart has missed them,” he said when met by Bernama on Tuesday.
Kamarul, who is serving a three-year sentence, has three sons and two daughters aged between three and 13. He was allowed to share a Hari Raya meal with them during the programme that lasted over an hour.
He thanked JKM for caring for his children and for making their heartfelt wish to visit him a reality. “When I leave this place, my main priority is to raise my children in the best way I can,” said Kamarul, who is serving time for child neglect.
Good prospects
For Intan (not her real name), who is behind bars for drug trafficking, the longing for the warmth of Aidilfitri celebrations with her family in the village remains deeply felt.
“I consider myself very fortunate to have been selected for this programme and to be able to meet my family, including my father and mother. It has eased some of the longing in my heart,” she said.
The 23-year-old expressed a strong desire to turn over a new leaf once she is released. “I vow never to repeat the mistakes of my past, and I truly hope my family will accept me again. That’s what I want most.”
She is among a few who have memorised some chapters (juzuk) of the Quran through the centre’s rehabilitation programme. Intan also shared her aspiration to pursue further studies in the automotive field.
Meanwhile, assistant prison commissioner S Tanabal stressed that former inmates – who are known as “prospects” – must be welcomed back into society without the burden of negative stigma, which often leads to social exclusion after their release.
“It is crucial that these individuals receive support, especially from their families. Here, we carry out the rehabilitation process, but real recovery continues with the love and acceptance from their own homes,” he said.
“We firmly believe that with proper communication and the rehabilitation programmes implemented at this centre, prospects can truly transform for the better.”