By Achong Tanjong
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FREE LIFESTYLE ... staff giving a stark caning
demonstration but Maraburong Prison is more than
punishment - convicts keep abreast of changes in the
outside world through academic and skills training, so
as to compete with society and be self-reliant once they
regain their freedom. Pix: A. Tanjong
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Chief Warden of Maraburong Prison, Supt Haji Mohamed,
guided the tour by Acting Temburong D.O. Haji Md. Yussop,
along with penghulu, village heads and longhouse headmen
from Temburong District yesterday.
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Although their movements are confined by the walls, its is not
the end of the world for the prison inmates as they also have
similar freedom like the ordinary citizen of the country.
Many programmes are organized
for them with the sole objective of reform and turning them into
loyal and law-abiding as well as socially productive, citizens.
According to Chief Warden of
the Maraburong Prison, Superintendent Haji Mohamed bin Haji
Damit at a briefing during a group visit by Acting Temburong
District Officer Haji Md. Yussop bin Bakar with penghulu,
village heads and longhouse headmen in tow from the Temburong
District yesterday morning.
Functioning as the 'eyes and
ears' of a community, the penghulus, village heads and longhouse
headmen were given priority to visit and have a closer look at
what the government agencies are doing for prisoners, who check
in wayward members of society.
They toured the two prisons in
Jerudong and Maraburong, accompanied by Director of Prison Tuan
Haji Ahmad Haji Dullah. Also with the group was Assistant D.O.
Awg. Ramlee Hj. Jamudin and senior staff of Temburong District
office. At the end of their visit, they were treated to a lunch.
Haji Mohamed said that since
the new prison started its operations on August 1, 2001, many
rehabilitation programmes such as psychological rehabilitation,
counselling, civic rehabilitation and vocational training, have
been held. On top of that, inmates are also given spiritual and
physical education. The prison has permanent religious teachers.
He said Maraburong Prison,
which can accommodate 150 inmates, now has 157 inmates
comprising 125 locals and 32 foreigners. The prison is mainly
for first-time offenders. Second and repeat offenders are placed
in Jerudong Prison. He said the new prison is located within the
Bukit Panggal area, built on 81 hectares at a cost of B$18.8
million. It is one the modern building prisons in the country,
which is equipped with sophisticated facilities in terms of
security systems.
There are classes, surau,
workshops (handicraft), with facilities like dinning hall,
kitchen, mini library and vlleyball and sepak-takraw courts.
Most of the products produced
by the inmates are sold via exhibition and charity bazaars to
raise aid for the less fortunate like the Afghan refugees. The
public interested in their products can also make a booking
through the prison authority.
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