Prisons more than 100 years old to be redeveloped – Home Minister

KAJANG - The government is planning to redevelop several old prisons, especially those over 100 years old, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

He said this would be an effort to build a conducive work environment for the Prisons Department staff.

Among the prisons identified were Kamunting Prison (Perak), Alor Setar Prison (Kedah), Pengkalan Chepa Prison (Kelantan) and Penang Remand Prison.

"There are prisons which are hundreds of of years old.

“We include it in the plan for these prisons to be redeveloped, and discussions with the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) are already underway.

"If there is fund capacity, we do want to change it overnight, but we have to be realistic about it.

“There are needs and funding constraints but planning must begin first.

"It has been identified and the planning is underway, even the funding method is already in place," he said at a press conference after his official visit to the Prisons Department, here.

Commenting further, Saifuddin urged Public Services Commission (SPA) to hire more personnel to the department and speed up the employment process.

"The Prisons Department is still going through a shortage of personnel, we will facilitate with the JPA to speed up the process," he said.

Saifuddin was accompanied by Deputy Home Minister Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah during his first official visit.