Latest news with #PrisonsAct
The Star
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
AGC reviewing new home detention law
A rousing start: Ramli (seated centre) and Saifuddin (on Ramli's right) witnessing the launch of the celebration at the Esplanade in George Town. — LIM BENG TATT/The Star GEORGE TOWN: A draft to amend the Prisons Act and introduce a new law on home detention is currently under review by the Attorney General's Chambers before being tabled in Parliament. Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the move would pave the way for implementing home detention as an alternative to imprisonment, especially for remand detainees and those convicted of non-serious offences. 'We will table it this year. At the policy level, it has been approved by the Cabinet. 'It is now at the stage where the Attorney General's Chambers is developing the amendment matrix,' he said after launching the 235th Prisons Day celebration in Jalan Padang Kota Lama yesterday. Saifuddin said the new Prisons Act would provide a legal framework for a more humane approach to home detention, helping to ease prison overcrowding while allowing inmates to serve their sentences within the community. 'Our current imprisonment rate is 245 per 100,000 population, compared to the global average of 145 per 100,000. 'We currently have 81,000 inmates, with 27,000 of them on remand. 'If we can filter and target those involved in minor offences, they can serve their detention at home while wearing monitoring devices,' he said. He said about 6,000 inmates were already serving their sentences in the community and the rehabilitation approach had shown positive results. 'We are shifting from a punitive model to one focused on correction and rehabilitation. 'There is a stark difference in recidivism rates, where 12 out of every 100 incarcerated individuals reoffend, compared to just one in 800 among participants in community-based programmes.' He said the government also planned to amend the Compulsory Attendance Order Act to expand its scope to include those serving up to 10 years in prison, compared to the current limit of three to four years. Saifuddin said the Step Up initiative, supported by the private sector to employ inmates through reintegration programmes, had also received strong interest. 'More than 1,225 companies participated, with some hiring 10, 30 or even up to 100 of our prospects. 'They do not need to pay levies or visa fees, and these prospects can contribute to their families,' he said. Earlier at the celebration, various exhibitions and performances, including police combat demonstrations and drama plays, were held before hundreds of visitors. Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib was present to grace the event. In his speech, Saifuddin said the Prisons Department is prepared to train 10,000 inmates this year to work in critical industries, reducing reliance on foreign labour in key sectors.
Hindustan Times
15-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Drug smuggling racket uncovered in Sangrur jail, DSP arrested
A deputy superintendent of police (DSP), posted in Sangrur jail, was arrested for allegedly facilitating smuggling of drugs and other banned items into the prison, police said on Thursday. Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sartaj Singh Chahal said that DSP (security) Gurpreet Singh was arrested on May 13 after probe revealed a well-organised drug smuggling racket operating within the Sangrur jail. Last month, during a surprise check, authorities had recovered four smartwatches, nine mobile phones, 50 grams of opium, and other contraband from the inmates. Initially, a Class-4 employee, Prashant Majumdar, along with 17 others, including jail inmates, had been arrested in this case. Pursuing backwards and forward linkages, the investigation led to the arrest of Manpreet Singh from Amritsar, an associate of inmate Gurvinder Singh, who is currently lodged in the jail. Cops later discovered that the DSP had allegedly received payments -- ₹40,000 cash and ₹26,000 via UPI – from the family of another inmate Gurchet Singh Chetta, for smuggling two mobile phones and 25 gm heroin into the jail. Of this, 12 grams of heroin were recovered this month from Ravi Malerkotla, against whom a separate FIR has been registered. Two other inmates, Gurraj Singh and Raghvir Singh were also found to be in contact with the DSP. SSP Chahal said that following the DSP's arrest, sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act have also been invoked, in addition to Arms Act, Prisons Act, and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In all, 19 persons, including the DSP, have been arrested in this case.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Drug racket in Sangrur jail: Inmate among 2 held with 4kg heroin, Glock
Sangrur police have busted the drug racket being run from the district jail with the arrest of an inmate and his accomplice, officials said on Monday. The arrest led to the seizure of 4kg heroin, ₹5.5 lakh drug money and a Glock 9mm pistol with two rounds. Sangrur senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sartaj Singh Chahal said last month the police had searched jail premises leading to the recovery of 50 grams of opium, six smartphones, three keypad phones, four smartwatches, and various mobile accessories. 'An inmate, Gurvinder Singh, when questioned, revealed that he was operating a drug racket with the help of Manpreet Singh (24), who was out on bail. Manpreet, a resident of Amritsar was arrested, which led to the recovery of 4 kg of heroin, ₹5,50,000 drug money, a Glock 9mm pistol, and 2 live rounds, the SSP said. Prashant Maujumdar, an employee of the jail and three others, identified as Rachpal Singh, Harpreet Singh, and Munna, were also held for supplying mobiles and other gadgets to the inmates. Chahal said an FIR against the accused has been registered under Section 18 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and Section 52A of the Prisons Act.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
ASI held with 41 gms of heroin in Bathinda jail
Bathinda: An assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of the India Reserve Battalion was arrested with 41 gm of heroin from Bathinda jail . ASI Gurpreet Singh had been posted in the jail for long, and the drug was found in his possession on Saturday. The jail authorities searched the ASI on suspicion. It is suspected that the drug was to be supplied to certain inmates for money. Bathinda deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Sarbjit Singh said after receiving information from the jail authorities, a case had been registered against ASI Gurpreet under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) Act and the Prisons Act and he was arrested. On April 2, a woman head constable, Amandeep Kaur, was arrested with 17.71 gm. She has since been sacked. TNN
South China Morning Post
07-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Former Singapore minister Iswaran placed under house arrest
Former Singapore transport minister S Iswaran, who is serving a 12-month jail term , was placed on home detention scheme from Friday. 'Like all inmates emplaced on the Home Detention Scheme, S Iswaran will serve his remaining sentence at his residence under specified conditions, which include curfew monitoring using an electronic monitoring tag, being gainfully occupied either in work, study or training, and reporting to SPS for counselling,' the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) said on Friday. Iswaran began his 12-month jail term on October 7, 2024. Lawyers confirmed that in their experience, offenders become eligible for home detention after serving around one-third of their sentence. 'During home detention, inmates who have approved employment can leave the home during their working hours while inmates who are unemployed usually only have a few hours out of the home in the afternoons,' Adrian Wee of Lighthouse Law LLC said. The Prisons Act provides for home detention to facilitate inmates' rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Prisoners can be placed on home detention for a period of not more than one year.
