Act 537 PDF

Prison 1
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
REPRINT
Act 537
PRISON ACT 1995

Incorporating all amendments up to 1 October 2009
PUBLISHED BY
THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE REVISION OF LAWS ACT 1968
2009
2 Laws of Malaysia ACT 537
PRISON ACT 1995
Date of Royal Assent ... ... ... … … 19 October 1995
Date of publication in the Gazette … … 2 November 1995
PREVIOUS REPRINTS
First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2002
Second Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2006

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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 537
PRISON ACT 1995
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Section
1. Short title
2. Interpretation
PART II
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
3. Power to declare prisons

4. Existing buildings declared prisons
5. Description of prison in writs, etc.
6. Appropriation of prisons to categories of prisoners
7. Appointment of lock-ups at police stations and court houses as places
of detention
8. Temporary prisons
9. Administration of prisons
PART III
OFFICERS
10. Appointment of officers

11. Absence or incapacity of Commissioner General
12. Commissioner General’s Standing Orders
13. Duties of Commissioner General
14. Medical Officer and Dental Officer for prisons
15. Duties of Medical Officer and Dental Officer
Section
16. Terms and conditions of appointment

17. Duties of prison officers
18. Weapons, accoutrements, etc.
19. Service in Malaysia or on board vessel, aircraft, etc.
19A. Service outside Malaysia
20. Observance of written laws and lawful orders
21. Prison officers deemed public servants
22. Use of weapons
23. Prison officers to have powers of police officers
24. Assistance of the police in times of emergency
25. Prison officers not to be members of trade unions
PART IV
CUSTODY AND REMOVAL OF PRISONERS
26. Custody
27. Delivery of persons arrested on warrant
28. Delivery of persons on remand
29. Officer in Charge to detain persons committed
30. Production before the court
31. Power of Commissioner General to order production in certain cases
32. Removal and transfer of prisoners
33. Transfer of prisoners under sentence of death
34. Orders relating to transferred prisoners
35. Evidence
36. Mentally disordered prisoner
37. Illness of prisoner
38. Return to prison
39. Liability for escape
40. Duty to assist in preventing escape
41. Special custody in hospital
42. Removal vessel
43. Release of prisoners on licence
44. Remission of sentence
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Section
45. Discharge of prisoners

46. Saving powers of the High Court
PART IVA
PAROLE
46A. Interpretation for purposes of Part IVA

46B. Establishment of Parole Board
46C. Powers of Parole Board
46D. Parolee subject to this Part
46E. Eligibility for parole
46F. Matters for Parole Board to take into account before making Parole
Order
46G. Proceedings before Parole Board
46H. Decision of Parole Board
46I. Prisoner serving parole deemed to continue serving sentence
46J. Duties of parole officer
46K. Duties of parolee
46L. Change of parole district
46M. Suspension and revocation of Parole Order
46N. Effect of revocation of Parole Order
46O. Period while parolee is at large not to be reckoned as part of sentence
PART V
EMPLOYMENT AND PRISON DISCIPLINE
47. Effect of sentence of imprisonment

48. Scheme for prisoners to engage in employment
49. Segregation of prisoners
50. Punishment of prison offences by Officer in Charge
51. Register of punishments
52. Prisoner may make his defence
53. Prosecution for offences
PART VI
OFFENCES
Section
54. Offences concerning prison supplies

55. Payment of money forbidden
56. Delivery of uniform, etc., on leaving
57. Unlawful possession, sale or supply of articles supplied to prison officers,
etc.
58. Smuggling of prohibited articles into prison
59. General penalty
PART VII
PRISON OFFICERS’ REWARD FUND
60. Prison Officers’ Reward Fund

61. Application of Fund
62. Administration of Fund
PART VIIA
PRISON CADET
62A. Establishment of Prison Cadet

62B. Members of Prison Cadet
PART VIII
GENERAL
63. Prison officers subject to disciplinary regulations

64. Visiting Justices
65. Duties of Visiting Justices
66. Visits by Judges, Magistrates, etc.
67. Regulations
68. Repeal, saving and transitional provisions
FIRST SCHEDULE
SECOND SCHEDULE
THIRD SCHEDULE
FOURTH SCHEDULE
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LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 537
PRISON ACT 1995
An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to prisons,

prisoners and related matters.
[18 January 1996, P.U. (B) 24/1996]
BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan

Agong with the advice and consent of the Dewan Negara and
Dewan Rakyat in Parliament assembled, and by the authority of
the same, as follows:
PART I
PRELIMINARY
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Prison Act 1995.
Interpretation
2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“prisoner” means a person, whether convicted or not, under

confinement in a prison and in relation to a convicted prisoner,
includes a prisoner released on parole;
“young prisoner” means a prisoner who is below twenty one

years of age.
“prescribed restricted diet” means a scale of diet as may be

prescribed from time to time for the purposes of section 50;
“prescribed” means prescribed by or under this Act and where

the authority is not specified, by the Minister;
“registered dentist” means a dentist registered under the Dental

Act 1971 [Act 51];
“Visiting Justice” means a member of the Board of Visiting

Justices appointed under section 64;
“mental hospital” means a hospital established for the reception

and detention of mentally disordered persons under section 30
of the Mental Disorders Ordinance 1952 [Ord. 31 of 1952], and
includes an approved hospital gazetted under the Mental Health
Ordinance 1961 [Sarawak Ord. 16 of 1961] and an asylum under
the Lunatics Ordinance 1961 [Sabah Cap. 74];
“sentence of imprisonment” means a sentence whether served

in confinement in a prison or served on parole, and includes an
original sentence passed by a court as well as a sentence awarded
by way of commutation;
“Committee” means the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund Committee

established under section 62;
“minor prison offence” and “aggravated prison offence” mean

an offence committed by a prisoner against prison discipline and
so specified in regulations made under this Act;
*“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Prison appointed

under subsection 10(2);
*“Commissioner General” means the Commissioner General

of Prison appointed under subsection 10(1);
“Fund” means the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund established

under section 60;
“court” means a court established by or under Part IX of the

Federal Constitution and shall include—
(a) Syariah Courts;
*NOTE—All references to the Director General of Prison and Deputy Director General of Prison
in any written law or in any instrument, deed, title, document, bond, agreement and working
arrangement subsisting immediately before the date of the coming into operation of this Prison
Act (Amendment) 2008 [Act A1332], shall, on the date of the coming into operation of Act
A1332, be construed as references to the Comissioner General of Prison and Commissioner of
Prison respectively–see section 4 of Act A1332 and P.U. (B) 260/2008.
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(b) Native Courts; and

(c) Military Courts;
“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility

for prisons;
“prison officer” means a uniformed staff of the prison department

from and including the rank of Commissioner General of Prison
down to and including a Warder;
“Medical Officer” and “Dental Officer” mean the Medical

Officer or Dental Officer, as the case may be, appointed under
section 14;
“police officer” has the meaning assigned thereto under the

Police Act 1967 [Act 344];
“Junior Prison Officer” means a prison officer of any rank from

and including a Prison Sub Inspector down to and including a
Warder;
“Officer in Charge” means a prison officer not below the

rank of Assistant Commissioner of Prison who is in charge of
a prison;
“Registrar” includes the Chief Registrar, Deputy Registrar,

Senior Assistant Registrar, Assistant Registrar, and the Registrar
of the Subordinate Courts, as the case may require;
“registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner

provisionally registered under section 12 or fully registered under
section 14 of the Medical Act 1971 [Act 50], as the case may
be;
“prison” means any house, building, enclosure or place, or any

part thereof, declared to be a prison under section 3 and shall
include the grounds and buildings within the prison enclosure and
also the airing grounds or other grounds or buildings belonging
or attached thereto and used by prisoners;
“Commissioner General’s Standing Orders” means the Standing

Orders issued from time to time by the Commissioner General;
“competent authority” means any person or authority vested

with the power to commit a person to prison under any written
law;
“weapon” means any staves, arms, ammunition, and includes

any instrument as may be determined by the Commissioner
General;
“arm” has the meaning assigned thereto under the Arms Act
1960 [Act 206];
“Commission” means the Public Services Commission established

under Article 139 of the Federal Constitution;
“place of work” means a place where prisoners are required by

the Commissioner General to work for purposes of rehabilitation
of prisoners, such work being performed under the supervision
of prison officers;
(2) For the purpose of the definition of “young prisoner” in

subsection (1), it shall include a prisoner who—
(a) is not a young prisoner as defined under the Ordinances
repealed by this Act;
(b) is below twenty one years of age; and
(c) is serving a term of imprisonment passed before the
coming into force of this Act.
PART II
CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Power to declare prisons
3. The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, declare any

house, building, enclosure or place, or any part thereof, to be
a prison for the purposes of this Act for the imprisonment or
detention of persons lawfully in custody and may in like manner
declare that any such prison shall cease to be a prison for the
purposes of this Act.
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Existing buildings declared prisons
4. Subject to any declaration made under this Act, the buildings

which at the commencement of this Act are in use as prisons
shall be deemed to be prisons within the meaning of this Act.
Description of prison in writs, etc.
5. In any writ, warrant, or other legal instrument in which it

may be necessary to describe a particular prison, any description
designating a prison by reference to the name of the place or
town where it is situated, or other definite description, shall be
valid and sufficient for all purposes.
Appropriation of prisons to categories of prisoners
6. (1) The Commissioner General may, from time to time, by

order—
(a) appropriate certain prisons—
(i) for effecting the separation of different categories
of prisoners;
(ii) for the training of different categories of prisoners;
or
(iii) for any other reason.
(b) limit the categories of prisoners in certain prisons.
(2) A prisoner of the category for which a prison is to be

designated may be lawfully conveyed to and imprisoned in that
prison despite the warrant or order for the imprisonment of that
prisoner shall have been issued by a court not having its ordinary
jurisdiction in the place where the prison is situated.
Appointment of lock-ups at police stations and court houses

as places of detention
7. (1) It shall be lawful for the Minister, by notification in the

Gazette, to appoint lock-ups at such police stations and court
houses as may be specified in the notification to be places for
the confinement of persons, remanded or sentenced to such terms

of imprisonment, not exceeding one month, as may be specified
in each case.
(2) A lock-up appointed as a place of confinement under

subsection (1)—
(a) shall not be deemed to be a prison for the purposes of this
Act, or of the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable
Persons Act 1969 [Act 7] and regulations made under
this Act shall not apply thereto;
(b) shall be deemed to be a prison for the purposes of Chapter
XXVII of the Criminal Procedure Code [Act 593] or of
the Debtors Act 1957 [Act 256].
Temporary prisons
8. (1) Whenever it appears to the Commissioner General—

(a) that the number of prisoners in a prison is greater than
can be reasonably kept in the prison and that it is not
convenient to transfer the excess number to another
prison; or
(b) that by reason of an outbreak within a prison of a disease
or for any other reason which renders it necessary to
provide for the temporary shelter and safe custody of
any prisoner,
he may, with the approval of the Minister, direct in writing for

the shelter and safe custody in temporary prisons of so many
of the prisoners as cannot be conveniently or safely kept in the
prison.
(2) A temporary prison under subsection (1) shall be a prison

for the purposes of this Act.
(3) Any prisoner removed to a temporary prison under

subsection (1) shall, when the reason for the removal has ceased,
be returned to the prison from where he was removed if his term
of imprisonment has not expired.
(4) The direction or order made or given by the Commissioner

General under subsection (1) shall be for a period not exceeding
three months.
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(5) Despite subsection (4), the duration of any direction or

order made under subsection (1) may, with the approval of the
Minister, be extended for further periods not exceeding three
months at any one time and such extensions shall not in any
event exceed a total period of nine months.
Administration of prisons
9. (1) Subject to the provisions of the Federal Constitution

relating to the jurisdiction, power and functions of the Commission
and the orders of the Minister made under this Act, the general
charge and administration of prisons and the control and direction
of prison officers throughout Malaysia shall be vested in the
Commissioner General.
(2) The Commissioner General may from time to time make

such transfers and direct the employment and distribution of
prison officers as he may think fit.
PART III
OFFICERS
Appointment of officers
10. (1) The Yang di-Pertuan Agong may appoint a Commissioner

General of Prison for Malaysia.
(2) There shall be appointed such number of Commissioners of

Prison, who shall be prison officers, and such number of prison
officers as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of
this Act.
(3) The ranks of Senior Prison Officers and Junior Prison

Officers are as set out in the First Schedule.
Absence or incapacity of Commissioner General
11. (1) In the absence or incapacity of the Commissioner General,

the powers and duties of the Commissioner General under this
Act or any regulations made thereunder may be exercised and
performed by the Commissioner of Prison authorized in writing
by the Commissioner General.
(2) In the absence or incapacity of the Commissioners of

Prison, the powers and duties of the Commissioner General shall
be exercised and performed by the prison officer next senior in
the prison department.
Commissioner General’s Standing Orders
12. The Commissioner General may make and issue orders, to be

called Commissioner General’s Standing Orders not inconsistent
with this Act or of any regulations made under the Act.
Duties of Commissioner General
13. (1) The Commissioner General shall—

(a) periodically visit and inspect, or cause to be visited and
inspected, all prisons in Malaysia;
(b) supervise and control all matters in connection with any
prison, the administration of which is vested in him;
and
(c) be responsible to the Minister for—
(i) the conduct and treatment of the prison officers
and prisoners under his control; and
(ii) the due observance by prison officers and prisoners
of the provisions of this Act and of all other
written laws relating to prisons or prisoners.
(2) Subject to the orders of the Commissioner General, the

Officer in Charge shall—
(a) supervise and control all matters in connection with any
prison, the administration of which is vested in him;
and
(b) be responsible to the Commissioner General for—
(i) the conduct and treatment of the prison officers
and prisoners under his control; and
(ii) the due observance by prison officers and prisoners
of the provisions of this Act and of all other
written laws relating to prisons or prisoners.
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(3) The Commissioner General may, in writing, delegate the

exercise of any of his powers or the performance of any of his
duties under this Act to any prison officer—
(a) subject to such conditions or restrictions as the Commissioner
General may think fit; and
(b) save in matters relating to transfer of prison officers,
the making and issuance of Standing Orders, and any
functions delegated to the Commissioner General by
the Commission pursuant to Clause (6) of Article 144
of the Federal Constitution.
Medical Officer and Dental Officer for prisons
14. (1) The Minister charged with the responsibility for health
services shall, whenever the circumstances permit, appoint from
the staff of the Ministry of Health a Medical Officer and a Dental
Officer for each of the prisons.
(2) If the circumstances do not permit an appointment under

subsection (1), the Minister charged with the responsibility for
health services may appoint any registered medical practitioner
or any registered dentist to be the Medical Officer or Dental
Officer of any particular prison.
(3) The Officer in Charge shall arrange with the Ministry of

Health or the local department of health for the performance
of the duties of a Medical Officer or Dental Officer by another
person where the Medical Officer or Dental Officer is unable to
perform his duties owing—
(a) to illness;
(b) to temporary absence; or
(c) for any other reason.
Duties of Medical Officer and Dental Officer
15. A Medical Officer and a Dental Officer appointed under

section 14 shall be under the control and supervision of the
Commissioner General whilst in prison and shall perform such
duties as may be prescribed.
Terms and conditions of appointment
16. A prison officer appointed under this Act shall be subject

to the terms and conditions of service applicable to him on his
date of appointment.
Duties of prison officers
17. A prison officer shall perform such duties as may be

prescribed.
Weapons, accoutrements, etc.
18. A prison officer shall be provided with such weapons,

equipment, uniform and other accoutrements as may be prescribed
by the Commissioner General as necessary for the efficient
performance of his duties.
Service in Malaysia or on board vessel, aircraft, etc.
19. A prison officer shall be bound to serve in any part of

Malaysia or on board any vessel, aircraft, train or any other
vehicle in which prisoners are being transported.
Service outside Malaysia
19A. The Minister may require any prison officer to serve outside
Malaysia.
Observance of written laws and lawful orders
20. A prison officer shall conform strictly to all laws and

regulations relating to prisons and prisoners, and shall obey all
lawful orders of his superior officers whether given verbally
or in writing or issued in the form of Commissioner General’s
Standing Orders.
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Prison officers deemed public servants
21. The Commissioner General, Medical Officers, Dental Officers

and prison officers appointed under this Act or any regulations
made under the Act shall be deemed to be public servants within
the meaning of the Penal Code [Act 574].
Use of weapons
22. (1) Subject to subsection (2), a prison officer may use

weapons against a prisoner—
(a) escaping or attempting to escape and where the prison
officer has reasonable grounds to believe that he cannot
otherwise prevent the escape or attempt to escape;
(b) engaged in—
(i) a combined outbreak; or
(ii) an attempt to force or break open any door, gate
or enclosure wall of the prison; or
(c) using violence on a person and where the prison officer
has reasonable grounds to believe that the person is in
danger of life or limb, or that other grievous hurt is
likely to be caused to the person.
(2) A prison officer shall give a warning to a prisoner that he

is about to fire on him before using arms in the circumstances
mentioned in subsection (1).
(3) No prison officer shall, in the presence of his superior

officer, use arms against a prisoner in the case of an outbreak
or attempt to escape except under the orders of the superior
officer:
Provided that the prison officer may use arms in circumstances

where it is not reasonably practicable to obtain the order of the
superior officer and that such circumstances are furnished to the
superior officer.
(4) The use of weapons under this section shall be, as far as
possible, to disable and not to kill.
(5) A police officer whilst in the capacity of an escort guard

or of a guard in or about a prison or lock-up for the purpose of
ensuring the safe custody of a prisoner shall be subject to the
provisions of this section.
Prison officers to have powers of police officers
23. Subject to any express provision to the contrary, a prison

officer while acting as such shall have by virtue of his office
all the powers, authority, protection and privileges of a police
officer.
Assistance of the police in times of emergency
24. (1) The Commissioner General may, in an emergency or in

the interest of public safety, request the assistance of the Royal
Malaysia Police.
(2) Police officers deployed under subsection (1) shall be

headed by a senior police officer and all such police officers
shall be under the control and supervision of the Commissioner
General or any other prison officer specially authorized for that
purpose.
Prison officers not to be members of trade unions
25. (1) For the purpose of enabling prison officers to consider and
bring to the notice of the Government all matters affecting their
welfare or efficiency, including pay, pensions and conditions of
service, other than questions of discipline and promotion affecting
individuals, there may be established an association which shall
operate and be administered in accordance with regulations made
by the Minister.
(2) An association established under subsection (1) shall be

entirely independent of and be unassociated with any body of
persons outside the prison department and shall be deemed not
to be a trade union within the meaning of the Trade Unions Act
1959 [Act 262], and shall be exempt from the provisions of the
Societies Act 1966 [Act 335].
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(3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2), no prison officer shall

become a member of any trade union or of any association having
for its objects or as one of its objects the control or influencing
of the pay, pensions or conditions of service of prison officers.
(4) A prison officer who contravenes subsection (3) shall be

guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine
not exceeding one thousand ringgit.
(5) Any question as to whether a body is a trade union or an

association to which this section applies shall be determined by
the Minister.
(6) An association established prior to the coming into force

of this Act under section 27A of the Prisons Ordinance 1952
[F.M. Ord. 81 of 1952], shall be deemed to be an association
established under subsection (1) until the association is
dissolved.
PART IV
CUSTODY AND REMOVAL OF PRISONERS
Custody
26. (1) A prisoner—

(a) confined in a prison shall be deemed to be in the lawful
custody of the Officer in Charge of the prison;
(b) shall be subject to prison discipline and to all written laws
relating to prisons or prisoners and to the Commissioner
General’s Standing Orders during the period of his
imprisonment, whether or not he is within the precincts
of a prison; and
(c) while in the custody or under the control of a prison
officer—
(i) when being taken to or from a prison;
(ii) whenever he is working outside a prison; or
(iii) is otherwise beyond the limits of the prison,
shall be deemed to be in prison and shall be subject to all the

same incidents as if he were actually in prison.
(2) Where a prisoner has escaped from lawful custody, the

period during which he is at large shall not be reckoned as part
of the sentence he was undergoing at the time of his escape.
Delivery of persons arrested on warrant
27. (1) A person arrested under a warrant or an order of a court

having civil or criminal jurisdiction shall be brought before the
court by which the warrant or order was issued.
(2) If the court under subsection (1) is not then sitting, the
person shall be delivered to an Officer in Charge for intermediate
custody.
(3) The Officer in Charge shall cause the person to be brought

before that court at its next sitting in order that the person may
be dealt with according to law.
Delivery of persons on remand
28. (1) A person charged with a crime or offence, and remanded

to a prison by a court or competent authority shall be delivered
to the Officer in Charge of the prison together with a warrant of
remand.
(2) The Officer in Charge shall—

(a) detain and cause to be delivered to the court or competent
authority; or
(b) discharge,
the person delivered under subsection (1) according to the terms

of the warrant.
Officer in Charge to detain persons committed
29. An Officer in Charge shall keep and detain a person duly

committed to his custody by a court or competent authority
according to the terms of the warrant or order by which the
person has been committed or until the person is discharged by
due course of law.
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Production before the court
30. (1) Whenever the presence of a prisoner is required in a

court having civil or criminal jurisdiction, the court may issue an
order in the prescribed form addressed to the Officer in Charge
requiring for the production of that prisoner at the time and place
to be named in the order.
(2) Upon receipt of the order, the Officer in Charge shall cause
the prisoner named in the order to be brought up as directed
and shall provide for his safe custody during his absence from
prison.
(3) In the event of an adjournment of the matter in which the

presence of the prisoner is required, the court may, by endorsement
on the order, require the prisoner to be again brought up at the
time and place named in the order.
(4) An order issued from the Federal Court, Court of Appeal

or the High Court may be signed by the Registrar of the Court,
and if issued by any other court shall be signed by the Sessions
Court Judge, Magistrate, Registrar or such other presiding officer,
as the case may be.
Power of Commissioner General to order production in certain

cases
31. (1) The Commissioner General—

(a) may, being satisfied that there are reasonable grounds
requiring the presence of a prisoner at any place in
Malaysia; or
(b) shall, where the presence of a prisoner is required for
the purpose of any public inquiry,
by order in writing, direct that the prisoner be taken to that

place.
(2) A prisoner taken from a prison under subsection (1)

shall, whilst outside that prison, be kept in such custody as the
Commissioner General may, by order in writing, direct, and whilst
in that custody shall be deemed to be in lawful custody.
Removal and transfer of prisoners
32. (1) The Commissioner General may, by order in writing,

remove or transfer all or any prisoners confined in a prison to
any other prison.
(2) No prisoner removed under subsection (1) while in the

custody of a prison officer shall be deemed to have escaped
although he may be taken into different jurisdictions or to different
places of confinement.
(3) For purposes of this section, it shall not be necessary in

the order to identify a prisoner by name, but it shall be sufficient
to describe the prisoner by reference to his nationality or sentence
or by some other like general description.
Transfer of prisoners under sentence of death
33. A prisoner under sentence of death which the Yang di-Pertuan

Agong, Ruler or Yang di-Pertua Negeri has ordered to be carried
out may, by order of the Commissioner General, be transferred
to any other prison, there to undergo his sentence.
Orders relating to transferred prisoners
34. An order relating to the sentence of a prisoner transferred

under section 32 or 33 shall have effect as if the order were
directed to the Officer in Charge of the prison to which the
prisoner is conveyed.
Evidence
35. (1) An order or a warrant made or issued by the Minister

or the Commissioner General pursuant to this Act shall—
(a) be received in evidence in all courts without further proof;
and
(b) be evidence of the facts therein stated.
(2) An act done pursuant to an order or a warrant made

or issued under subsection (1) shall be deemed to have been
authorized by law.
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Mentally disordered prisoner
36. (1) Where a prisoner undergoing a sentence of imprisonment

or sentenced to death appears to the Commissioner General on the
certification of the Medical Officer to be mentally disordered, the
Commissioner General shall, by order in writing, direct that the
prisoner be removed to, kept and treated at a mental hospital or
other fit place of safe custody in Malaysia and there to be kept
and treated as the Commissioner General directs.
(2) An order issued under subsection (1) shall be an authority

for the reception of the prisoner and for his detention in the
mental hospital or other fit place in Malaysia until removed or
discharged as hereinafter provided.
(3) Where a prisoner detained in a mental hospital under

subsection (1) is, in the opinion of the medical officer of the
mental hospital, no longer mentally disordered, the medical officer
shall report accordingly to the Commissioner General.
(4) Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner General

shall, by order in writing—
(a) direct the return of the prisoner to the prison from where
he was removed or to any other prison if his term of
imprisonment has not expired; or
(b) direct the prisoner to be discharged if his term of
imprisonment has expired.
(5) Where a prisoner detained under subsection (1) is, in the

opinion of the medical officer of the mental hospital, still mentally
disordered and the term of imprisonment to which the prisoner
has been sentenced has expired—
(a) in the case of *Peninsular Malaysia, section 46 of the
Mental Disorders Ordinance 1952 shall apply to the
prisoner as if he was detained in accordance with a
certificate given under section 42 of the Ordinance;
(b) in the case of the Federal Territory of Labuan, as the need
may arise, such provisions of the Mental Ordinance 1952
as may be extended to the Federal Territory of Labuan
by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, shall apply;
*NOTE—All references to “West Malaysia” shall be construed as reference to “Peninsular
Malaysia”–see the Interpretation (Amendment) Act 1997 [Act A996], subsection 5(2).
(c) in the case of Sabah, subsections 70(4) to (14) of the

Prisons Ordinance 1956 [Sabah Ord. 7 of 1956] shall
apply; and
(d) in the case of Sarawak, subsections 34(4) to (14) of the
Prisons Ordinance [Sarawak Cap. 24] shall apply.
(6) The time occupied in effecting any removal under this

section and the period during which the prisoner is detained
in a mental hospital shall be reckoned as part of the term of
imprisonment.
Illness of prisoner
37. (1) In case of serious illness of a prisoner confined in a

prison in which there are inadequate facilities for the treatment
of that prisoner, the Officer in Charge, or in his absence, the
next senior prison officer on duty may, on the certificate of a
Medical Officer, make an order for the removal of the prisoner
to a government hospital.
(2) Where a Medical Officer is not available to issue a certificate

for the purposes of subsection (1), the Officer in Charge, or in
his absence, the next senior prison officer on duty, may make an
order for the removal of the prisoner to a government hospital,
without a certificate of a Medical Officer.
(3) Where in the opinion of a medical officer of a government

hospital it is necessary for a prisoner removed to the government
hospital under subsection (1) or (2) to be admitted and remain in
the government hospital, the medical officer of the government
hospital shall transmit a certificate stating that fact to the Officer in
Charge of the prison from where such prisoner was removed—
(a) upon the admission of such prisoner into the government
hospital; and
(b) upon the discharge of such prisoner from the government
hospital.
Return to prison
38. (1) Where a prisoner removed to a hospital under section 37

is, in the opinion of the medical officer of the hospital, no longer
necessary for the prisoner to remain at the hospital, the medical
Prison 25
officer shall transmit a certificate stating that fact to the Officer

in Charge of the prison from where the prisoner was removed.
(2) On receipt of the certificate referred to in subsection (1),

the Officer in Charge shall cause the prisoner to be brought back
to the prison, if he is still liable to be confined in the prison.
Liability for escape
39. If a prisoner shall escape during the time he is in a hospital, no

prison officer shall be liable for the escape unless the prisoner has
been specifically placed in the custody of the prison officer.
Duty to assist in preventing escape
40. (1) It shall be the duty of the medical officers of the hospital
to which a prisoner has been removed under section 37 to lend
all assistance in order to ensure that the necessary precautions
for preventing the escape of the prisoner under treatment in the
hospital have been taken.
(2) It shall be lawful for the medical officers in subsection (1)

to take such measures for preventing the escape of the prisoner
as shall be necessary:
Provided that no measures for preventing the escape of a prisoner

shall be taken which, in the opinion of the medical officers, is
likely to be prejudicial to the health of the prisoner.
Special custody in hospital
41. Where from the gravity of the offence for which a prisoner
may be in custody or for any other reason, the Officer in Charge
considers it desirable to take special measures for the security
of a prisoner while under treatment in a hospital, the Officer in
Charge may, in the event of there being no prison officer available,
place the prisoner into the charge of two or more fit and proper
persons, one of whom shall be with the prisoner at all times—
(a) who shall be vested with full power and authority to do all
things necessary to prevent the prisoner from escaping;
and
(b) who shall be answerable for the safe custody of the

prisoner—
(i) until such time as the prisoner is handed over to a
prison officer on his discharge from the hospital;
or
(ii) until such time as the term of imprisonment of
the prisoner expires,
whichever may first occur.
Removal vessel
42. (1) Where it is necessary for the purposes of this Part to

remove any prisoner out of Malaysia by sea or by air, he shall
be removed in a vessel or aircraft to be appointed for the purpose
(2) The time occupied in effecting any removal shall be

reckoned as part of the term of imprisonment.
Release of prisoners on licence
43. (1) Subject to any regulations made by the Minister, the

Commissioner General may, at any time if he thinks fit, release
on licence and on such conditions as may be specified in the
licence, a prisoner serving any term of imprisonment.
(2) The Commissioner General may, at any time—

(a) modify or cancel the conditions referred to in subsection
(1); or
(b) by order, recall to prison a prisoner released on licence
under subsection (1) but without prejudice to the power
of the Commissioner General to release the prisoner on
licence again.
(3) Where a prisoner is recalled under paragraph (2)(b), his

licence shall cease to have effect and he shall, if at large, be
deemed to be unlawfully at large and shall, on conviction, be liable
to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding two years or to both.
Prison 27
(4) A prisoner who fails to comply with any condition of the

licence issued to him under subsection (1) shall, on conviction,
be liable to a fine not exceeding two thousand ringgit or to a
term of imprisonment not exceeding two years or to both.
Remission of sentence
44. (1) With a view to encouraging good conduct and industry

and to facilitate reformative treatment, a prisoner sentenced to
imprisonment of more than one month, shall be entitled to be
granted a remission of his sentence.
(2) All or any part of the remission for which a prisoner may
be entitled may, on commission of an offence under section 50 or
an offence relating to parole, be cancelled by the Commissioner
General:
Provided that in no case shall any forfeiture exceed the amount

of remission earned at the time of commission of the offence.
(3) The Commissioner General may restore to a prisoner all

or any part of a remission which the prisoner has forfeited during
his sentence.
(4) A prisoner who is awarded a remission of part of his

sentence shall be discharged upon the expiration of so much of
his sentence as shall remain after deducting from it such part.
Discharge of prisoners
45. (1) An Officer in Charge, or in his absence, the next senior

prison officer on duty, shall be responsible for the due discharge
of a prisoner immediately upon his becoming entitled to release,
whether by—
(a) the expiration of his term of sentence;
(b) payment of fine;
(c) pardon;
(d) commutation; or
(e) remission of sentence.
(2) Subject to the approval of the Commissioner General and

at the expense of the Government, a prisoner duly discharged
from prison in accordance with this section may be returned to
the place where the prisoner ordinarily resides.
Saving powers of the High Court
46. Nothing in this Act shall be held to lessen or affect the powers
of the Judges of the High Court to direct persons confined in
any prison to be brought before the Court under the provisions
of Chapter XXXVI of the Criminal Procedure Code.
*PART IVA
PAROLE
Interpretation for purposes of Part IVA
46A. For the purposes of this Part, unless the context otherwise
requires—
(a) “parole district” means the parole district as the Minister
may determine;
(b) “Parole Board” means the Parole Board established under
section 46B;
(C) “parolee” means a prisoner who is released on a Parole
Order;
(d) “parole” means the release of a prisoner to serve any part
of his sentence of imprisonment outside prison pursuant
to a Parole Order;
(e) “parole officer” means any prison officer not below the
rank of Prison Inspector assigned to perform such duties
prescribed under this Part;
(f) “Chairman of the Parole Board” means the Chairman of
the Parole Board appointed under paragraph 46B(2)(a);
and
*NOTE—A prisoner who is serving a sentence of imprisonment on the date of the coming into
operation of Prison (Amendment) Act 2008 [Act A1332] shall be eligible to be considered for
parole–see section 14 of Act A1332 and P.U. (B) 260/2008.
Prison 29
(g) “Parole Order” means a release on parole order made by

a Parole Board.
Establishment of Parole Board
46B. (1) There shall be established such number of Parole

Boards to exercise all powers, discharge all duties and perform
all functions as may be provided under this Act.
(2) A Parole Board shall consist of the following members

who shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong:
(a) a Chairman, from amongst members of the Judicial and
Legal Service;
(b) a senior prison officer;
(c) a senior police officer;
(d) a senior welfare officer; and
(e) three members of the public.
(3) Every member shall hold office for a period of three years
and is eligible for reappointment.
(4) The appointment of any member of a Parole Board may

be revoked by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at any time without
assigning any reason for it.
(5) A member of a Parole Board may at any time resign

his office by a written notice addressed to the Yang di-Pertuan
Agong.
(6) A Parole Board shall have its sittings as and when necessary
at such time and place to be decided by the Chairman of the
Parole Board.
(7) The quorum of a sitting of a Parole Board shall be five

members including the Chairman of the Parole Board.
(8) Every member present at a sitting of a Parole Board shall

be entitled to one vote and any decision by a Parole Board shall
be determined by a majority of votes.
(9) In the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman of

the Parole Board shall have a casting vote, in addition to his
deliberative vote.
(10) Subject to this Act and any directions of the Minister a

Parole Board may regulate its own procedure.
Powers of Parole Board
46C. (1) With a view to encouraging good conduct and industry

and to facilitate reformative treatment of a prisoner, a Parole
Board shall have the following powers:
(a) to make a decision whether to release on parole a prisoner
who applies for parole;
(b) to suspend or revoke a Parole Order;
(c) to add or vary any conditions of a Parole Order;
(d) to hold an inquiry on any matters related to parole;
(e) to examine any prisoner for the purposes of soliciting
additional information related to a parole application or
for any other reason that the Parole Board deems fit;
and
(f) to exercise and perform such other functions and duties
as the Minister may determine.
(2) A Parole Board may establish a secretariat as it deems

necessary or expedient to assist it in the performance of its
functions and duties and the exercise of its powers under this
Act.
Parolee subject to this Part
46D. Notwithstanding section 29, a Parole Order may be issued

to any prisoner eligible for parole who has been committed to
the custody of an Officer in Charge under that section and where
such Parole Order is issued, such prisoner shall be subject to and
dealt with under this Part.
Prison 31
Eligibility for parole
46E. (1) A prisoner who is serving a sentence of imprisonment

for any offence prescribed in the Fourth Schedule shall not be
eligible for parole.
(2) The Minister may by order published in the Gazette amend

the Fourth Schedule.
(3) Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (6), a prisoner shall

only be eligible to be considered for parole—
(a) if he is sentenced to a minimum of one year imprisonment
for any offence other than the offences prescribed in the
Fourth Schedule;
(b) subject to subsection (7), after he has served at least half
of his term of imprisonment without taking into account
the remission of sentence granted to him under section
44; and
(c) after he has undergone a rehabilitation programme approved
by the Commissioner General while serving his sentence
of imprisonment.
(4) Where there is a charge for any offence, other than an

offence prescribed in the Fourth Schedule, pending in any court
against any prisoner, such prisoner shall be eligible to be considered
for parole only after the final decision of such pending charge
has been made.
(5) Where there is an appeal relating to any offence, other

than an offence prescribed in the Fourth Schedule, pending in any
court in respect of any prisoner, such prisoner shall be eligible
to be considered for parole only after the final decision of such
pending appeal has been made.
(6) Where a prisoner has the right to a pardon relating to any

offence, other than an offence prescribed in the Fourth Schedule,
such prisoner shall be eligible to be considered for parole—
(a) only after his case has first been brought before a Pardons
Board, unless he is discharged upon pardon, reprieve or
respite by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or Ruler or Yang
di-Pertua Negeri of a State, as the case may be; or
(b) subject to subsection (7), only after he has served at

least half of his term of imprisonment without taking
into account the remission of sentence granted to him
under section 44,
whichever is the later.
(7) For the purposes of paragraphs (3)(b) and (6)(b)—

(a) in relation to such term of imprisonment to be served
concurrently, half of the term of imprisonment means
half of the longest of such term of imprisonment to be
served concurrently; and
(b) in relation to such terms of imprisonment to be served
consecutively, half of the term of imprisonment means
half of the total of all of such terms of imprisonment
to be served consecutively.
(8) Notwithstanding that a prisoner has been granted remission

of sentence under section 44, the eligibility of such prisoner to
be considered for parole shall not be affected.
Matters for Parole Board to take into account before making

Parole Order
46F. In deciding whether or not to release a prisoner on parole,

the Parole Board—
(a) shall examine and evaluate the parole dossiers received
from a prison officer in respect of such prisoner and any
other report prepared by any prison officer in relation
to an application for release on parole of such prisoner;
and
(b) shall have regard to the following matters:
(i) the need to protect the safety of the community;
(ii) the need to maintain public confidence in the
administration of justice;
(iii) the nature and circumstances of the offence to
which the sentence of the prisoner relates;
(iv) the prisoner’s criminal record;
Prison 33
(v) the risk of the prisoner re-offending if he is released

on parole;
(vi) the likelihood of the prisoner being able to adapt
to normal community life;
(vii) the likely effect on the victim of the prisoner and
the victim’s family, if the prisoner is released on
parole;
(viii) in the case of a foreign prisoner, the availability
of parole system or other similar system in his
country; and
(ix) such other matters as the Parole Board considers
relevant.
Proceedings before Parole Board
46G. (1) If a Parole Board considers that the appearance of a

prisoner who is applying for parole is necessary, the Parole Board
may serve a notice on such prisoner to appear before the Parole
Board at the time and place specified in the notice.
(2) The prison officer shall make the necessary arrangements to

procure the attendance of the prisoner before the Parole Board.
(3) If the prisoner is unable to appear before the Parole Board

because of illness or attending any court proceedings or any other
reasonable grounds, he may submit a written representation to
the Parole Board.
(4) All proceedings before a Parole Board under this section

shall be held in camera and no legal representation on behalf of
a prisoner shall be allowed.
Decision of Parole Board
46H. (1) Where a Parole Board makes a decision not to release

a prisoner on parole, the Parole Board shall inform the decision
in writing—
(a) to the Commissioner General;
(b) to the Officer in Charge of the prison in which the prisoner

is serving his sentence of imprisonment; and
(c) to the prisoner concerned.
(2) A prisoner may reapply for parole six months after the date
of the decision of a Parole Board not to release him on parole.
(3) Where a Parole Board makes a decision to release a prisoner

on parole, the Parole Board shall issue a Parole Order specifying
the date of release on parole and the parole district where such
parolee is to serve the parole subject to such conditions as may
be determined by the Parole Board.
(4) A copy of the Parole Order shall be served on—

(a) the Commissioner General;
(b) the Officer in Charge of the prison in which the parolee
is serving his sentence of imprisonment immediately
before the date of the Parole Order;
(c) the parole officer in charge of the parole district where
the parolee is to serve the parole; and
(d) the parolee concerned.
Prisoner serving parole deemed to continue serving sentence
46I. (1) A parolee is deemed to continue serving his sentence

of imprisonment during the period of parole—
(a) that begins on the date of release on parole specified in
the Parole Order; and
(b) that ends upon the expiration of his sentence of imprisonment
taking into account so much of his sentence as shall
remain after deducting from it such part of remission of
sentence granted, or when the Parole Order is suspended
or revoked.
(2) The period of parole prescribed in subsection (1) shall be

reckoned as part of the term of imprisonment.
Prison 35
Duties of parole officer
46J. (1) A parolee in respect of whom a Parole Order has been

issued shall be taken by a prison officer to the place where such
parolee is to serve the parole and placed into the charge of a
parole officer.
(2) A parolee shall be under the custody and supervision of

a parole officer throughout the parole period.
(3) Whenever a warrant or an order requiring for the production

of a parolee is issued by a court, or whenever an order is issued
by the Commissioner General, requiring the presence of the
parolee at any place outside his parole district, for any reasonable
grounds, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner General, it shall
be the duty of a parole officer to cause the parolee named in the
warrant or order to be brought up as directed and to provide for
his safe custody.
(4) A parole officer shall cause to be maintained a register

relating to the parolees in his parole district containing such
details and in such form as the Minister may determine.
(5) Subject to any express provision to the contrary, a parole

officer while acting as such shall have by virtue of his office
all the powers, authority, protection and privileges of a police
officer.
Duties of parolee
46K. It shall be the duty of a parolee—

(a) to report to a parole officer at such time and date as such
parole officer may from time to time direct;
(b) to reside at the place specified in the Parole Order;
(c) to seek the permission of a parole officer if the parolee
wants to visit a place outside the parole district where
the parolee is serving his parole;
(d) to enter into employment arranged or agreed by the parole
officer;
(e) to undergo any programmes for his rehabilitation as may
be organized or directed by a parole officer;
(f) to comply with the conditions of the Parole Order; and

(g) to comply with any other conditions, instructions and
directions as may be given by the Parole Board or a
parole officer.
Change of parole district
46L. (1) An application may be made by a parole officer in

charge of a parolee or a parolee to the Parole Board for a change
of the parole district of a parolee.
(2) A Parole Board may, upon satisfaction of the grounds of

an application to change the parole district of a parolee, allow
the application subject to such conditions as the Parole Board
may impose and issue a notice to that effect.
(3) A copy of the notice under subsection (2) shall be served

on—
(a) the Commissioner General;
(b) the Officer in Charge of the prison in which the parolee
is serving his sentence of imprisonment immediately
before the date of the Parole Order;
(c) the parole officer in charge of the parole district of the
parolee immediately before the change of the parole
district of such parolee;
(d) the parole officer in charge of the parole district where
the parolee is to serve the parole pursuant to the change
of parole district; and
(e) the parolee concerned.
Suspension and revocation of Parole Order
46M. (1) Where a parole officer finds that a parolee has failed
to comply with any of the provisions of section 46 K or any
condition stated in a Parole Order, the parole officer—
(a) shall submit a report to the Parole Board through its
secretariat; and
(b) shall place the parolee into the charge of the Officer in
Charge of the nearest prison.
Prison 37
(2) A Parole Board may suspend a Parole Order—

(a) upon receiving a report from a parole officer that a parolee
has failed to comply with any of the provisions of section
46K or any conditions stated in a Parole Order; or
(b) if the Parole Board has reasonable grounds to believe
that the Parole Order was issued on false or misleading
information.
(3) A Parole Board may serve a notice on the parolee to appear

before the Parole Board for an inquiry and the parolee may make
a representation to the Parole Board.
(4) A Parole Board shall examine and evaluate any report

submitted by a parole officer in respect of a parolee who has
failed to comply with any of the provisions of section 46K or
any condition stated in a Parole Order, and any representations
made by the parolee.
(5) Notwithstanding subsection (3) and section 52, a Parole

Board may revoke a Parole Order at any time, without giving
the parolee the right to make any representation—
(a) if the parolee commits any offence and is charged in any
court for such offence; or
(b) if the parolee leaves the parole district without the
permission of a parole officer.
(6) If the Parole Board is satisfied that the parolee has failed
to comply with any of the provisions of section 46 K or any
conditions stated in a Parole Order, the Parole Board may—
(a) impose further conditions on the Parole Order;
(b) vary the existing conditions of the Parole Order; or
(c) revoke the Parole Order.
Effect of revocation of Parole Order
46N. (1) Where a Parole Order is revoked, unless the prisoner

to whom such Parole Order relates is deemed to be unlawfully
at large under subsection (3), such prisoner shall be taken into
custody by a parole officer and shall be delivered to the Officer
in Charge of the nearest prison for immediate custody.
(2) The Officer in Charge shall as soon as may be practicable

cause the prisoner in subsection (1) to be removed, transferred
or taken to the prison where he was serving his sentence of
imprisonment immediately before the issue of the Parole Order
to undergo his remaining sentence.
(3) Where the Parole Order is revoked pursuant to paragraph

46M(5)(b), and if the parolee is at large, such parolee shall be
deemed to be unlawfully at large and shall, on conviction, be
liable to a term of imprisonment not exceeding two years.
(4) Where a parolee who has been convicted under subsection (3)
is sentenced to imprisonment, such imprisonment shall commence
either immediately or at the expiration of the imprisonment to
which he has been previously sentenced, as the court awarding
the sentence may direct.
(5) Upon revocation of a Parole Order, all or any part of the

remission for which a prisoner may be entitled may be cancelled
Period while parolee is at large not to be reckoned as part

of sentence
46O. Where a parolee is deemed to be unlawfully at large, the

period during which he is at large shall not be reckoned as part
of the term of the sentence of imprisonment he was undergoing
at the time of his being at large.
PART V
EMPLOYMENT AND PRISON DISCIPLINE
Effect of sentence of imprisonment
47. (1) A sentence of imprisonment passed or to be passed

upon a prisoner shall subject the prisoner during the term of his
sentence—
(a) to be imprisoned, subject to his being released on parole;
and
Prison 39
(b) to work at such labour as may be directed by the Officer

in Charge and, so far as is practicable, such labour shall
take place—
(i) in association;
(ii) outside cell;
(iii) outside the limits of the prison as approved by the
Commissioner General.
(2) The Medical Officer may certify a prisoner as—

(a) unfit and recommend that the prisoner be excused from
labour; or
(b) fit only to perform light labour.
(3) A prisoner under subsection (2) shall only be required to

work on any labour prescribed as light labour.
Scheme for prisoners to engage in employment
48. (1) For the purpose of enabling prisoners, other than the
prisoners referred to in section 49, to take up gainful employment
whilst they are serving their sentences, the Minister may introduce a
scheme and such prisoners may upon their own election participate
in the scheme.
(2) A prisoner taking up employment under a scheme referred

to in subsection (1)—
(a) may, despite an order made by a court for the committal
of the prisoner, be taken daily beyond the limits of the
prison to perform work; and
(b) shall, at all times be deemed to be in prison and subject
to all the same incidents as if he were actually in
prison.
Segregation of prisoners
49. (1) A prisoner—

(a) confined under civil process;
(b) on remand charged with a crime or an offence;

(c) committed to take his trial; or
(d) confined for want of sureties,
shall not ordinarily be associated with prisoners serving their

sentences of imprisonment or be required to labour beyond such
labour as is reasonably proper for keeping his person and dress
in a proper state and keeping the place in which he is confined
clean.
(2) Where a prisoner under subsection (1) elects to be employed

during the period he is confined, he shall receive payment for
the employment at such rates as may, from time to time, be
prescribed.
(3) A young prisoner shall, so far as local conditions permit,

be kept apart from adults under detention.
(4) Where it appears to the Officer in Charge that it is desirable

for the good order and discipline of a prison or for any other
reason that a prisoner be segregated, it shall be lawful for the
officer to order the segregation of the prisoner for such period
as he may consider necessary.
Punishment of prison offences by Officer in Charge
50. (1) An Officer in Charge, or in his absence, the next senior

prison officer who has been authorized by the Officer in Charge,
may punish a prisoner found after due inquiry to be guilty of a
minor prison offence by ordering him to undergo one or more
of the following punishments:
(a) reprimand;
(b) reduction in stage;
(c) postponement of promotion in stage;
(d) forfeiture of privileges;
(e) removal from the earnings scheme;
(f) reduction in earnings grade;
Prison 41
(g) forfeiture of remission not exceeding such amount as may

be prescribed;
(h) separate confinement in a cell on the prescribed restricted
diet for a term not exceeding such period as may be
prescribed.
(2) The punishments referred to in paragraphs (1)(b) to (f)

shall be for such period as may be prescribed.
(3) Where an Officer in Charge, or in his absence, the next

senior prison officer who has been authorized by the Officer
in Charge, finds a prisoner after due inquiry to be guilty of an
aggravated prison offence, the Officer in Charge, or in his absence,
the next senior prison officer who has been authorized by the
Officer in Charge, may punish the prisoner by ordering him to
undergo one or more of the punishments listed in subsection (1)
or in addition to or in lieu thereof, impose corporal punishment
with a rattan, not exceeding such number of strokes as may be
prescribed:
Provided that any corporal punishment ordered shall be subject

to confirmation by the Minister.
Register of punishments
51. The Officer in Charge shall enter in a register to be open to

the inspection of the Visiting Justices a record of the punishments
imposed by him upon prisoners showing, in respect of each
prisoner punished, the name of the prisoner, the nature of his
offence and the extent of his punishment.
Prisoner may make his defence
52. No prisoner shall be punished until he has had an

opportunity—
(a) of hearing the charge or complaint against him and the
evidence in support thereof; and
(b) of making his defence and calling of evidence in support
thereof.
Prosecution for offences
53. Nothing in this Act shall be construed so as to exempt any

prisoner from being proceeded against for any offence by the
ordinary course of law, but no prisoner shall be punished twice
for the same offence.
PART VI
OFFENCES
Offences concerning prison supplies
54. (1) No prison officer, Medical Officer, Dental Officer or staff

employed by the prison department shall—
(a) directly or indirectly have any pecuniary interest in the
purchase of prison supplies;
(b) receive or have any pecuniary dealings with prisoners or
their friends with regard to any discounts, gifts or other
consideration from contractors for, or sellers of, prison
supplies;
(c) sell or supply any article to or for the use of a prisoner
or a prison;
(d) receive directly or indirectly—
(i) any benefit or advantage from the sale or supply
of; or
(ii) any interest in any contract or agreement for the
sale or supply of,
any article to or for the use of a prisoner or a prison.
(2) No prison officer, Medical Officer, Dental Officer or staff

employed by the prison department shall hold any unauthorized
communication with a person for any of the purposes in
subsection (1).
(3) A person who contravenes this section shall be guilty of an

offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding
ten thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
five years or to both.
Prison 43
(4) In this section references to selling or supplying include

respectively references to offering for sale and offering for supply
as well as letting on hire and offering to let on hire.
Payment of money forbidden
55. (1) No money or other consideration shall, on any pretext

whatsoever, be payable, paid, given or promised, to a prison
officer, Medical Officer, Dental Officer or staff employed by
the prison department, by or on behalf of a prisoner, either on
his—
(a) entry into;
(b) commitment to;
(c) continuance in;
(ca) release on parole from; or
(d) discharge from,
a prison.
(2) A prison officer, Medical Officer, Dental Officer or staff

employed by the prison department, receiving or demanding from
or on behalf of a prisoner—
(a) any money or other consideration;
(b) the promising of money or other consideration;
(c) the undertaking of any service in consideration of receiving
or the promising of money or other consideration,
for any of the purposes mentioned in subsection (1) shall be guilty

of an offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of ten
thousand ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
Delivery of uniform, etc., on leaving
56. (1) A person, upon ceasing to be a prison officer, shall

immediately deliver up to the Officer in Charge of the prison
in which he is serving at the time of ceasing to be a prison
officer, every article of uniform and clothing and all weapons,

accoutrements, and other effect of every kind belonging to the
Government.
(2) A prison officer who fails to comply with subsection (1)

shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on
conviction—
(a) to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to
imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or
to both; and
(b) in addition, shall be liable to pay the value of any article
not delivered up, which value shall be recoverable as if
it were a fine.
Unlawful possession, sale or supply of articles supplied to

prison officers, etc.
57. (1) A person, not being a prison officer, who—

(a) without lawful authority, purchases or receives or is found
in possession of and who fails to account satisfactorily
for his possession of—
(i) an article which has been supplied to a prison
officer for the execution of his duty; or
(ii) a medal or decoration granted to a prison officer
for service or good conduct;
(b) without lawful authority, manufactures, sells, supplies,
offers to sell or supply a reasonable facsimile of—
(i) a badge or device used to indicate that a person is
a prison officer or the rank of a prison officer;
or
(ii) a medal or decoration granted to a prison officer
for service or good conduct;
(c) unlawfully wears, uses or displays otherwise than in the course
of a stage play or other theatrical performance—
(i) a uniform of a prison officer;
Prison 45
(ii) a badge or device to indicate that he is a prison

officer; or
(iii) a dress having the appearance of or bearing the
distinctive marks of the uniform of a prison
officer,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on conviction,

to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
(2) A prison officer who sells or disposes of—

(a) any article which has been supplied to him or any other
prison officer for the execution of duty;
(b) any medal or decoration granted to a prison officer for
service or good conduct,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable, on conviction,

to a fine not exceeding one thousand ringgit or to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding six months or to both.
Smuggling of prohibited articles into prison
58. (1) A person who smuggles or attempts to smuggle a

prohibited article into or out of a prison shall be guilty of an
offence and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding
*ten thousand ringgit or to *imprisonment for a term not exceeding
(2) In this section, “prohibited article” means any drugs,

money or liquor and includes any instrument or article as may
be prescribed by the Commissioner General from time to time.
General penalty
59. A person who is guilty of an offence under this Act or any

regulations made under the Act for which no penalty is expressly
provided shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding
five hundred ringgit or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding
six months or to both.
*NOTE—Previously “two thousand ringgit” and “imprisonment for a term not exceeding six
months–see section 18 of the Prison (Amendment) Act 2008 [Act A1332].
PART VII
PRISON OFFICERS’ REWARD FUND
Prison Officers’ Reward Fund
60. (1) There shall be established a fund to be known as the

Prison Officers’ Reward Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Fund)
which shall be operated as a Trust Account within the Federal
Consolidated Fund.
(2) The Fund shall consist of—

(a) all emoluments forfeited by and all fines imposed on
prison officers in any disciplinary proceedings;
(b) all grants, donations, gifts and contributions made to or
in favour of the Fund;
(c) all other sums or property which may in any manner
become payable to or vested in the Fund; and
(d) all moneys—
(i) confiscated; or
(ii) the ownership of which is unknown and found,
in the course of a search in a prison.
Application of Fund
61. Subject to regulations made under this Act, the Fund shall
be applied for the purpose of—
(a) rewarding prison officers for outstanding acts of initiative
and resource or for skill in the performance of any
departmental duty requiring tact or ability;
(b) rewarding prison officers for any meritorious act of
bravery whereby life has been saved or property has
been secured from loss or destruction;
(c) procuring comforts, convenience and other benefits, which
are not chargeable to public revenue, for prison officers,
former prison officers who have retired on pension,
gratuity or allowance or persons who were wholly or
partially dependent on deceased prison officers or former
prison officers at the time of their death; and
Prison 47
(d) rewarding any person whom the Committee thinks fit for
outstanding acts of bravery whereby life has been saved
or property has been secured from loss or destruction.
Administration of Fund
62. (1) There shall be established a Prison Officers’ Reward

Fund Committee which shall have the control of the Fund.
(2) The Committee shall consist of the following members:

(a) the Commissioner General as Chairman;
(b) two Senior Prison Officers to be appointed by the Minister;
and
(c) two public officers to be appointed by the Minister.
(3) Subject to regulations made under this Act, the Committee

shall have power to regulate its proceedings.
(4) No person shall carry on an activity to raise moneys for

the Fund without the prior written consent of the Committee.
(5) Any person who contravenes subsection (4) shall be guilty

of an offence.
PART VIIA
PRISON CADET
Establishment of Prison Cadet
62A. A body to be known as the Prison Cadet shall be established

for any area in Malaysia, as the Minister may determine, which
shall consist of such number of senior Prison Cadet officers,
junior Prison Cadet officers and cadets.
Members of Prison Cadet
62B. The following persons may apply to join the Prison Cadet:
(a) any person who is not below the age of twenty one and
not above the age of fifty, and not being a member of the
Prison Department of Malaysia or any force established

under any written law, who fulfills such criteria as the
Minister may determine;
(b) any person who is a registered student of any training
or educational institution following a course of study
or training on a full time or part time basis in such
training or educational institution, as the Minister may
determine, upon consultation with the Minister charged
with the responsibility for such training or educational
institution; and
(c) any pupil of any secondary school as defined under the
Education Act 1996 [Act 550], as the Minister may
determine upon consultation with the Minister charged
with the responsibility for education.
PART VIII
GENERAL
Prison officers subject to disciplinary regulations
63. (1) All prison officers shall be subject to regulations relating

to discipline as may from time to time be made by the Yang di-
Pertuan Agong under Clause (2) of Article 132 of the Federal
Constitution.
(2) For the purpose of this section, any regulations which for
the time being are in force shall only have force and effect to
the extent they are not in conflict with any regulations referred
to under subsection (1).
Visiting Justices
*64. (1) The Minister shall, for every two years, appoint for
each State and Federal Territory a Board to be called the Board
of Visiting Justices of which any senior Magistrate of each State
and Federal Territory shall be an ex officio member.
*NOTE—Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the members of the Board of Visiting Justices
who held offices before the date of coming into operation of subsection (1) of this section shall
continue to hold office until the expiry of their term of appointment–see subsection 21(2) of
Prison (Amendment) Act 2008 [Act A1332] and P.U. (B) 260/2008.
Prison 49
(2) The Minister may determine payment of allowances for

members of the Board of Visiting Justices.
Duties of Visiting Justices
65. (1) A Visiting Justice may—

(a) at any time, visit any prison in the State or Federal
Territory for which he is appointed;
(b) inspect the wards, cells, yards and other apartments and
divisions of the prison;
(c) inspect and test the quality and quantity of the prisoners’
food;
(d) hear the complaints, if any, of the prisoners;
(e) question any prisoner or prison officer,
for the purpose of ascertaining, so far as possible, whether the

provisions of this Act and any regulations made under the Act and
the Commissioner General’s Standing Orders are adhered to.
(2) A Visiting Justice shall—

(a) call the attention of the Officer in Charge to any irregularity
that may be observed in the—
(i) working of the prison; or
(ii) treatment of any prisoner confined in the prison;
and
(b) exercise and perform such other powers and duties as
may be prescribed.
(3) The Board of Visiting Justices shall appoint at least one

but not more than four of its members to visit in rotation each
of the prisons in the State or Federal Territory for each month
of the year.
(4) A Visiting Justice shall, for the purpose of this Act, have
power to summon witnesses and to administer oaths.
Visits by Judges, Magistrates, etc.
66. (1) A Judge of the High Court, a Sessions Court Judge,

and a Magistrate having jurisdiction in a place where a prison
is situated may, whenever he thinks fit—
(a) enter and examine the condition of the prison and of the
prisoners in the prison;
(b) question any prisoner or prison officer,
and enter any observations he thinks fit to make in reference to the

condition of the prison and the prisoners in a Visitors’ Book.
(2) A Visitors’ Book shall be kept for the purpose in subsection

(1) by the Officer in Charge which shall be produced to the
Visiting Justices at their next visit.
Regulations
67. (1) The Minister may publish in the Gazette such regulations
as may be necessary or expedient for the good management and
government of prisons, and for carrying out or achieving the
objects and purposes of the Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of

subsection (1), regulations made under this section may provide
for all or any of the following matters:
(a) the powers and duties of persons employed in the prison
department;
(b) the inspection and management of lock-ups, the officers to
be in charge of the lock-ups, and for the employment, diet
and discipline of persons confined in the lock-ups;
(c) the medical examination, measuring, photographing and
taking of fingerprint impressions or other records of
prisoners, including detailed personal statistics and
histories, and for requiring full and truthful answers
to all questions put to the prisoners with the object of
obtaining such statistics and histories;
(d) the persons, if any, to whom such measurements,
photographs, fingerprint impressions or other records
are to be sent or supplied;
Prison 51
(e) the diets, categorization, safe custody, separation, treatment

and discipline of prisoners;
(ea) the treatment and wellbeing of a child born to a prisoner
while in custody and a child of a female prisoner admitted
with his mother;
(f) the employment of prisoners, including provisions for the
rate, use and apportionment of earnings of prisoners;
(g) the scheme of gainful employment and in particular
for—
(i) the categories of prisoners who are eligible to take
up employment under the scheme;
(ii) the terms and conditions upon which prisoners are
to be permitted to take up employment outside
the limits of a prison;
(iii) the terms and conditions of employment;
(iv) the manner in which wages shall be paid to the
prisoners;
(v) the proportion of and the manner in which the
wages earned by prisoners under the scheme of
employment may be retained by the prisoners;
(h) the kind of labour to be exacted at the different stages
of imprisonment of the prisoners and the manner and
place of exacting such labour;
(i) the disposal of the products of labour of prisoners other
than the products of labour in the scheme mentioned in
paragraph (2)(h);
(j) the remission of sentences to be allowed to prisoners
who duly comply with the regulations to which they are
subjected, and the conditions on which such remissions
are to be made;
(k) the establishment of prisoners’ aid associations and for
the subsidising of their work and the utilizing of their
services in connection with prisoners discharged on
probation and convicted prisoners whose sentences have
expired;
(l) the supply of money, food, clothing or means of travelling
to prisoners on their discharge;
(m) the administration of the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund;

(n) the proceedings and visits of the Visiting Justices;
(o) the classification of offences;
(p) the procedure for the carrying out of inquiries into
offences committed by prisoners and for matters related
thereto;
(pa) the management and implementation of parole;
(pb) the objectives of the Prison Cadet and its administration;
and
(q) any matter which is required to be or which may be
prescribed under this Act.
Repeal, saving and transitional provisions
68. (1) The laws mentioned in the Second Schedule to the extent
to which they are therein expressed to be repealed are repealed
accordingly.
(2) Save for item 4 in the Second Schedule, all subsidiary

legislation, orders, directions and notices made or given and any
act lawfully done under or by virtue of the repealed Ordinances
shall, in so far as such subsidiary legislation, order, direction
or notice is not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, be
deemed to have been made or given under or by virtue of this
Act, and shall continue to remain in force and to have effect until
amended, repealed, rescinded, revoked or replaced under or by
virtue of this Act.
(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), in respect of a

sentence of imprisonment passed or to be passed upon a prisoner
on or after the coming into force of this Act, the laws mentioned
in the Third Schedule shall apply.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1)—

(a) any officer or person appointed to act or employed under
or by virtue of the repealed Ordinances or deemed to
be appointed to act or employed under or by virtue of
the repealed Ordinances shall continue and be deemed
to have been appointed or employed under or by virtue
of this Act; and
Prison 53
(b) any inquiry or proceeding commenced or pending under the

repealed Ordinances immediately before the coming into
force of this Act shall be continued or concluded under
and in accordance with the repealed Ordinances.
(5) In this section, “proceeding” means any proceeding whatsoever

of a civil or criminal nature and includes an application at any
stage of a proceeding.
(6) On the date of coming into force of this Act, the Prison
Officers’ Reward Fund established under the Prisons Ordinance
1952, the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund established under the
Prisons Ordinance 1956 [Sabah Ord. 7 of 1956] and the Prison
Officers’ Reward Fund established under the Prisons Ordinance
[Sarawak Cap. 24] shall be wound up and all moneys, property,
whether movable or immovable and liabilities to which the various
funds were entitled or subject to shall by virtue of this section
become the moneys, property rights and liabilities of the Prison
Officers’ Reward Fund established under section 60 by operation
of law without any necessity for a notice to be given to any party
affected by the transfer.
FIRST SCHEDULE
[Subsection 10(3)]
Senior Prison Officers
Commissioner General of Prison

Commissioner of Prison
Deputy Commissioner of Prison
Senior Assistant Commissioner of Prison
Assistant Commissioner of Prison
Superintendent of Prison
Deputy Superintendent of Prison
Assistant Superintendent of Prison
Chief Inspector of Prison
Prison Inspector
Junior Prison Officers
Prison Sub Inspector

Prison Sergeant Major
Prison Sergeant
Prison Corporal
Warder
SECOND SCHEDULE
[Subsection 68(1)]
REPEALS
Number of Title of Ordinance/ Extent of Repeal

Ordinance/ Rules
Rules
1. F.M. Ord. 81/1952 Prisons Ordinance The whole
2. Sabah Ord. 7/1956 Prisons Ordinance The whole except

the following:
(1) subsections 70(4)

to (14); and
(2) subsection 81(1) in

respect of sentences
of imprisonment
passed upon a
prisoner before the
date of coming into
force of this Act.
3. Sarawak Cap. 24 Prisons Ordinance The whole except

subsections 34(4) to
(14).
4. Sarawak G.N.S. Prison Rules Part VI

31/1956
Prison 55
THIRD SCHEDULE
[Subsection 68(3)]
APPLICATION OF LAWS
State Extent of Application
1. Sabah Part 6 of the Prisons Rules 1953 [L.N. 326/1953]
2. Sarawak Part 6 of the Prisons Rules 1953 [L.N. 326/1953]
FOURTH SCHEDULE
[Subsection 46E(2)]
OFFENCES NOT ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE RELEASE
1. Penal Code The whole of Chapter VI

The whole of Chapter VIA
Section 194
Paragraph 225(e)
Paragraph 304(a)
Section 364
Section 374A
Section 376
Section 376B
Section 377B
Section 377C
Section 377E
Section 388
Section 460
2. Kidnapping Act 1961 [Act 365] Section 3

3. Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 Section 3
[Act 37]
Section 3A
Section 4
Section 5
Section 7
4. Dangerous Drug Act 1952 [Act 234] Section 6B
5. Internal Security Act 1960 [Act 82] Section 57

Section 59
Prison 57
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 537
PRISON ACT 1995
LIST OF AMENDMENTS
Amending law Short title In force from
P.U. (A) 118/2003 Revision of Laws 25-04-2003

(Rectification of Prison
Act 1995) Order 2003
Act A1189 Prison (Amendment) Not yet in

Act 2003 force
Act A1332 Prison (Amendment) 30-06-2008

Act 2008
LAWS OF MALAYSIA
Act 537
PRISON ACT 1995
LIST OF SECTIONS AMENDED
Section Amending authority In force from
2 Act A1332 30-06-2008
10 Act A1332 30-06-2008

11 Act A1332 30-06-2008
19A Act A1332 30-06-2008
22 Act A1332 30-06-2008
37 Act A1332 30-06-2008
43 Act A1332 30-06-2008
44 Act A1332 30-06-2008
45 Act A1332 30-06-2008
Part IVA Act A1332 30-06-2008
46A Act A1332 30-06-2008
46B Act A1332 30-06-2008
46C Act A1332 30-06-2008
46D Act A1332 30-06-2008
46E Act A1332 30-06-2008
46F Act A1332 30-06-2008
46G Act A1332 30-06-2008
46H Act A1332 30-06-2008
46I Act A1332 30-06-2008
46J Act A1332 30-06-2008
46K Act A1332 30-06-2008
46L Act A1332 30-06-2008
46M Act A1332 30-06-2008
Prison 59
Section Amending authority In force from
46N Act A1332 30-06-2008

46O Act A1332 30-06-2008
47 Act A1332 30-06-2008
50 Act A1332 30-06-2008
55 Act A1332 30-06-2008
58 Act A1332 30-06-2008
61 Act A1332 30-06-2008
Part VIIA Act A1332 30-06-2008
62A Act A1332 30-06-2008
62B Act A1332 30-06-2008
64 Act A1332 30-06-2008
67 Act A1332 30-06-2008
First Schedule Act A1332 30-06-2008
Fourth Schedule Act A1332 30-06-2008
Throughout Act A1332 30-06-2008
the Act
DICETAK OLEH
PERCETAKAN NASIONAL MALAYSIA BERHAD,
KUALA LUMPUR
BAGI PIHAK DAN DENGAN PERINTAH KERAJAAN MALAYSIA
JW513905 16-10-2009

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Prison 1

PRISON ACT 1995

PRISON ACT 1995

Date of Royal Assent ... ... ... … … 19 October 1995

Date of publication in the Gazette … … 2 November 1995

First Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2002

Second Reprint ... ... ... ... ... 2006

PRISON ACT 1995

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

3. Power to declare prisons

10. Appointment of officers

16. Terms and conditions of appointment

CUSTODY AND REMOVAL OF PRISONERS

45. Discharge of prisoners

46A. Interpretation for purposes of Part IVA

EMPLOYMENT AND PRISON DISCIPLINE

47. Effect of sentence of imprisonment

54. Offences concerning prison supplies

PRISON OFFICERS’ REWARD FUND

60. Prison Officers’ Reward Fund

62A. Establishment of Prison Cadet

63. Prison officers subject to disciplinary regulations

PRISON ACT 1995

An Act to consolidate and amend the laws relating to prisons,

[18 January 1996, P.U. (B) 24/1996]

BE IT ENACTED by the Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan

1. This Act may be cited as the Prison Act 1995.

2. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—

“prisoner” means a person, whether convicted or not, under

“young prisoner” means a prisoner who is below twenty one

“prescribed restricted diet” means a scale of diet as may be

“prescribed” means prescribed by or under this Act and where

“registered dentist” means a dentist registered under the Dental

“Visiting Justice” means a member of the Board of Visiting

“mental hospital” means a hospital established for the reception

“sentence of imprisonment” means a sentence whether served

“Committee” means the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund Committee

“minor prison offence” and “aggravated prison offence” mean

*“Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Prison appointed

*“Commissioner General” means the Commissioner General

“Fund” means the Prison Officers’ Reward Fund established

“court” means a court established by or under Part IX of the

(b) Native Courts; and

“Minister” means the Minister charged with the responsibility

“prison officer” means a uniformed staff of the prison department

“Medical Officer” and “Dental Officer” mean the Medical

“police officer” has the meaning assigned thereto under the

“Junior Prison Officer” means a prison officer of any rank from

“Officer in Charge” means a prison officer not below the

“Registrar” includes the Chief Registrar, Deputy Registrar,

“registered medical practitioner” means a medical practitioner

“prison” means any house, building, enclosure or place, or any

“Commissioner General’s Standing Orders” means the Standing

“competent authority” means any person or authority vested

“weapon” means any staves, arms, ammunition, and includes

“Commission” means the Public Services Commission established

“place of work” means a place where prisoners are required by

(2) For the purpose of the definition of “young prisoner” in