From incarceration to reintegration, an inmate's painted story
Storyteller: A section of the mural at the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre that was completed in February this year. — Bernama
BATU GAJAH: A vibrant mural now adorns the exterior of the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre, capturing the transformative journey of inmates through a vivid visual narrative.
The mural, a collaboration between the Batu Gajah District Council (MDBG), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seri Iskandar and the correctional facility, spans approximately 80m in length and 3m in height.
Batu Gajah District Council president Mohamad Razif Ramli said the mural features 25 illustrated panels that trace the journey of incarceration, from the history of Malaysia's prison system to the daily routines, vocational training and hopes of reintegration into society.
'Housed in a facility built in 1902, the mural brings new life and meaning to this historically significant site.
'This marks our third mural collaboration with UiTM Seri Iskandar, but our first with the Batu Gajah Correctional Centre,' he said during the launch of the mural by Kinta District Officer Zulhisham Ahmad Shukori here yesterday.
Also present were Perak Prisons Department director Charin Promwichit Chem, Batu Gajah Correctional Centre director S. Tanabal, and UiTM senior lecturer Dr Syed Alwi Syed Abu Bakar, who is also the deputy project director.
Razif shared that discussions to identify a new mural location began last year, and prison authorities were enthusiastic about supporting the initiative.
'Following detailed planning towards the end of 2024, the mural painting was successfully carried out on-site in February this year,' he added.
Dr Syed Alwi said the mural was created by a team of 25 from UiTM Seri Iskandar, including nine lecturers, four alumni members, and 12 students.
He said all visual content was carefully developed in collaboration with the prison to ensure respectful and meaningful representation.
'The mural is styled as a visual timeline, resembling a strip of film, with each panel telling a different part of the story, from the early history of the Malaysian prison system to modern day rehabilitation initiatives.
'The first few frames delve into the history of Prisons in Malaysia, beginning with Fort Cornwallis Prison in Penang (1790), followed by Taiping (1879), Pudu (1895), and Batu Gajah (1902),' he explained.
He said the other segments illustrate the metaphorical journey towards freedom, symbolised by a dove escaping its cage.
'The artwork continues with depictions of spiritual and moral education, vocational training in carpentry, tailoring, cooking, and other skills inmates acquire during their time in custody.
'A section also shows correctional officers, shown as disciplined and dedicated individuals playing a vital role in supporting inmates' transformation.
Dr Syed Alwi said this initiative aims to change how society views prisons, and shifting the narrative from punishment to rehabilitation.
'Our hope is that this mural encourages greater public understanding and support for second chances,' he said.
When asked whether this was Malaysia's first prison-based mural project, Charin Promwichit noted that a similar effort had taken place at Tapah Prison in partnership with UiTM Seri Iskandar.
'In fact, a mural was once painted by an inmate at Pudu Prison in the early 1990s, so this concept has some history,' he said.
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