Correctional Through Skills: Vocational Training for Prison Inmates in Malaysia

The high rate of recidivism has been a persistent problem in the criminal justice system, with ex-inmates facing significant challenges upon their release, including a lack of employment opportunities, social stigma, and limited access to resources. In order to integrate prison inmates more effectively into society, vocational training programs were introduced in Malaysian prisons to provide inmates with practical skills and increase their employability post-release. However, the effectiveness of these programs in reducing recidivism rates and preparing inmates for employment was yet to be established. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vocational training programs in three Malaysian prisons (Sungai Udang Prison Melaka, Kajang Prison, and Bentong Prison). Data were obtained via 12 semi-structured interviews with correctional officers from the respective prisons. Findings of this research contributed to a better understanding of the role of vocational training programs in reducing recidivism and facilitating successful rehabilitation of inmates into productive members of society.