By Tan Chew Chin

ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA: Malaysia's prison system has won accolades from senior prison officials from the Asia-Pacific region.

Macau prison and legal affairs bureau psychologist Cheung Si Lok said he would recommend the local vocational training programme for prisons in his country.

"We have a similar programme back home but some of the activities here are very practical and have helped provide job or business opportunities to the inmates after they were released," he said.

Cheung's peer from China, Li Yu Quan, said apart from the vocational training, he was impressed with the safety, security and management systems at Malaysian prisons.

The China Prison Administration deputy director said some of the systems could be adapted in his country.

Cheung and Li were among 268 delegates from 25 countries who visited the Alor Star and Pokok Sena prisons here yesterday.

Present were Prisons Department deputy director-general Datuk Zulkifli Omar and Alor Star prison director Kamarudzaman Mamat.

The visit was one of many programmes for the delegates who attended the 28th Asia Pacific Conference on Correctional Administration (APCCA) in Langkawi. The week-long conference ended yesterday.

Meanwhile, APCCA rapporteur Professor Neil Morgan said the conference, among other things, discussed new rehabilitation programmes.

"We exchanged ideas on best rehabilitation practices for women and special group prisoners."