PRISONERS AND OPPORTUNITIES

“Prisoner to get varsity-level courses”. I am sure that for those who are read this title will make many assumption about this program because I do believe that some of us will said that it is not worth to give education to the prisoner because of their past history. Everybody has their right to change and to have their own future. We cannot simply judge the person based on their attitude, but we need to look deep in their heart. Just imagine if we are in their shoes. Based on my opinion after I had read the article “Prisoners to get varsity-level courses” on New Strait Times that had been published on 3 March, 2013, it is one of a good program that can enhance the skills and educational level of prisoners. Maybe before this they do not have any chances to study and that’s way it leads them to involve in crime. Who knows? Every people have their own hidden talents. This is the times for prisoner to prove to community that they also can improve themselves and can have their own future. This program will give a good impact not only for the prisoners but also for our country development. 

Home Affairs Ministry’s deputy secretary-general, Datuk Wahab Mohd Yasin has said that since July last year, there are about 1,764 prisoners had received certificates in skills training and 703 obtained certificates for other achievements. This statistic truly showed that they also have their own credibility that can change their life and give contribution for country’s development as well. Other than that, this program also had made the per cent of the prisoners to return to the jail decrease which is lower than 10 per cent. Only 36 people out of 8,269 prisoners returned to the prisons again. This shows that the program really make the prisoners change and give a big opportunity for them to have a better life. Money. Every single in this world needs money. Who knows the prisoner had become a criminal before because of their life’s hardship and this program will changed them into a better person. Maybe, outside there, there is no education center that willing to accept prisoner as one of their students, but actually they have their own specialty, maybe not in professional field but in skill area. This can be proved by the sales of handicraft made by prisoner last year where they had earned about RM17 million. 

From my opinion, this program has its own benefit that can help to change the prisoner’s life and attitudes. It is very important for this country to take opportunity on this program in order to decrease unemployment rate  because after they had been given a certificate based on their talent ad ability, there maybe have some firms or company dare to hire prisoners to work with them. Every people have their right to change. So, open up our mind, hearts and do give support for them to have spirit to change. Imagine that one of successful prisoner is one of your family members.

“Do not judge people by who they are in the past, but judge them by who they are now”

ADIOS AMIGOS.! :D