The families of prisoners will be allowed to visit them on Feb 12 and 12 as part of the Chinese New Year celebration, according to the Prisons Department.
This privilege extends to moral rehabilitation centers, special rehabilitation centers, special detention centers, and the Henry Gurney School. Visits will be prioritized for Chinese inmates.
In addition to face-to-face visits on those days, families can also connect with inmates via video call from Feb 14 to 16, the department said in a statement on Monday (Feb 5).
For face-to-face visits, visitors must comply with certain conditions. They must undergo an RT-PCR or ARTK-Ag (swab/saliva) test that is valid for three days after sample collection and be asymptomatic. They must also bring a visit card as well as an identification card.
Visiting hours will be between 8.15am and 4.15pm, and visitors are not allowed to bring any food or drink. They are also discouraged from giving money to the inmates, as all basic facilities are provided by the department, it added.
Appointments for visits must be made through the i-Visit system at www.prison.gov.my, or by phone calls, email, or letters to the respective institutions.
According to the department, “The institutions will set the date and session of the meeting after the appointment is made, and visitors need to contact them to get more information.”
Overall, it’s good to see that the Prisons Department is making an effort to accommodate families of inmates during the festive season.
