Prisons to have panel clinics by next month

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: By early next month, prisons throughout the country will have their own panel clinics.
Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow said all 37 prisons would be provided their own doctors, who would be aided by hospital assistants.
“This is to ensure the prisoners are given the best medical treatment and check-ups will be conducted as often as necessary to ensure the health of inmates,” Fu said after attending the launch of a 25-page colour pull-out published by China Press Berhad in conjunction with the 200th Police Day celebrations this Sunday.
He refuted a report published in a local English daily yesterday that the situation in prisons had reached a critical level and there was great concern over the fast spreading of diseases among prisoners.
“Congestion is a factor but we are in full control of the situation. I have said earlier that the problem of overcrowded prisons or detention centres will be eased with the completion of 16 new facilities, hopefully, by end of the year,” he said.
Nine of the prisons under construction are in Jawi, Bentong, Macang, Sungai Uda, Kuching, Penang, Johor Baru, Lahad Datu and Linggi.
The new facilities can hold 15,000 prisoners.
The RM3.1bil projects will house administrative sections, workshops and training areas, health facilities, clinics, visitor blocks, basic sports facilities, kitchens and dining halls, staff clubhouses and workers’ quarters.
Presently, prisons and detention centres can hold 31,000 people, but there are 39,000 prisoners in the country.
Fu said the Simpang Renggam detention centre was slightly overcrowded and inmates would be moved to the Kamunting centre.
He also refuted claims published in the report that prisoners had been afflicted with HIV/AIDS after being placed with other inmates.
“The claims are baseless. In the first place, prisoners who are afflicted with HIV/AIDS had the virus before they were caught. Such prisoners are placed separately,” Fu added.
Prisons Department deputy director-general Datuk Zulkifli Omar said overcrowding in prisons was a manageable problem that could be dealt with through the implementation of short and long-term plans.
“We will be introducing the parole system soon as has been decided by the Cabinet.
“Another step taken will be to implement a Community Service Order, whereby those charged with very small offences would not have to be sent to prison – instead they can serve their sentences in other ways,” he said.