Kuala Terengganu: The Terengganu State Prison Department aims to secure employment for 720 inmates across various sectors this year. Its director, Mohd Nasir Yusof, stated that the initiative would involve prisoners set to undergo the parole system (ODP) and Licensed Release Programme (OBB) from Marang Prison and Dungun Correctional Centre.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the department plans to place more inmates in the rapidly expanding hospitality sector, which has become a key economic driver in Terengganu. Last year, 410 inmates were offered job opportunities with 72 employers across different fields, with the services sector accounting for 60 percent of these placements. Additionally, some inmates found employment in the tourism, island resorts, and plantation sectors, which require a large workforce.

Mohd Nasir highlighted the department's success in maintaining low rates of employment condition violations among inmates, with only four cases recorded last year. This achievement was attributed to various programmes, including human development initiatives, interventions, and strict monitoring to ensure that ODP and OBB inmates adhered to regulations and maximized their opportunities.

He noted that Terengganu recorded the second-lowest rate of employment violations in Malaysia, with the offences being minor and mainly related to attitude issues such as tardiness and laziness at work. Mohd Nasir shared these insights during an engagement session with employers, the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), and the Terengganu Labour Department. Terengganu Perkeso director Suhara Mustaffa was also present at the event.