In the first outbreak in March, Suaram and other civil society organisations called on the government to reduce the number of prisoners in detention facilities to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 transmission in overcrowded conditions. The recommendations put forward include expediting parole for prisoners and alternative sentences for prisoners serving short sentences or imprisoned for non-serious offences. Such steps have been adopted by neighbouring countries, including Indonesia, in their effort to reduce risk factors in prisons. Failure to act would eventually cause an outbreak similar to that observed in Sabah’s Tawau prison. SEVAN DORAISAMYExecutive Director, SuaraRakyat Malaysia (Suaram)Article type: metered User Type: anonymous web User Status: Campaign ID: 18 Cxense type: free User access status: 3

Source: The Star October 07, 2020 23:26 UTC