KLUANG: Malaysia’s efforts in helping convicts through the rehabilitation process in prison, especially in reducing the rate of recidivists is recognised by the international community, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the rate of recidivists, or people who continued to commit crimes even after being caught and punished, in the country last year was at 8.59%.
“Although we are still not satisfied with this achievement, it is recognised by the international community.
“There are several developed countries where their recidivist rate is more than 50%, meaning convicts who leave prison after going through rehabilitation and punishment continue to commit crimes after that. Not in Malaysia, Alhamdulillah,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said efforts would continue to further reduce the recidivist rate by improving existing rehabilitation modules.
He said this when opening the National Prisons and Anti-Drug Day at the Simpang Renggam Prison near here today.