Mention Chia Kawng Chye and the Prisons Department can only sing praises of the former deputy internal security minister.

Chia, who believed more in prevention than punishment, had brought many positive changes for those behind and in front of the bars during his tenure.

This belief was the driving force behind the Correction Cadet programme, said the department's human resources director Abdul Wahab Kassim

"He thought it would be a good idea to bring inmates to school and to explain to them about life in prison, as a method of deterrence," he told Bernama .

Abdul Wahab said there was so far one prison "assigned" to each of the 14 schools currently under the programme.

The department's Correctional Academy, proposed by the deputy minister, would start operations by the middle of the year, he added.

Following the recent cabinet reshuffle, Chia has been appointed deputy information minister.

Medical benefits

Malaysian prison treatment and rehabilitation director Hassan Sakimun said thanks to Chia inmates at the Sungai Buloh and Kajang prisons now had panel doctors to go to.

"Previously, inmates had to go back and forth to nearby hospitals to get treatment for their ailments," he said.

Chia also had plans to introduce panel doctors to other prisons in stages, he added.

He said Chia also proposed the construction of a "medical prison" to place inmates with chronic diseases and an "industry prison", where recognised companies can help market products by inmates.

"Besides that, he was also keen on alternative sentencing such as the parole system, home detention or community service as a form of punishment for those who committed petty crimes," he said.

Also full of praises was Malaysian prison security director Wan Mohd Nazarie Wan Mahmud, who said Chia had always stressed on and supported the concept of correctional-rehabilitation.

"For him, the prison's role is not just to detain a person until his release, but more on ensuring that he learns from his mistakes and leaves as a better person," he added

He said Chia's appearance in monthly meetings at prison departments across the country was a first for the department and made it easier for issues to be raised and dealt with.

"He shows genuine interest in dealing with the problems faced by the department and this makes it easy for us to talk to him. We appreciate this very much," he added.

Better wages

As for changes outside the bars, prison department director-general Mustafa Osman said under the deputy minister, his personnel's welfare improved through the increase of allowances.

All prison officers also enjoyed a salary increase last year through the upgrading of their service scheme.

He said Chia, who is also Gerakan secretary-general, had not only introduced the usage of more modern and suitable equipments, but also formed several new units to improve security measures in prisons.

Such units include the Mounted Unit, the Anti-Riot Unit and the Canine Unit.

"He also helped with the contribution of nine top-notch horses from the Penang Turf Club for the Mounted Unit," he added.