KAJANG: There was a huge sense of happiness at the Kajang Prison yesterday.

For two hours, 10 Chinese inmates laughed and cried tears of joy with their families.

The Chinese New year reunion is a much-awaited event for inmates who have been separated from their families.

For S. Yeap, 39, the 120 minutes with his wife and 10-year-old son in a “normal setting” was all that he had wanted for the festive period.

“It’s tough being separated from my family and not being there to see my son grow up,” said the former accountant who gives tuition to juveniles in the prison.
The first-time offender is serving a three-year sentence for criminal breach of trust in May.

“I’ve learnt that crime doesn’t pay and no one can run from the law.

“God has given me a second chance. I just want to get on with life.”

Yeap is eligible for parole after serving half of the three-year sentence.

Dennis P.Y. (not his real name), who is serving a 10-year sentence for causing death by negligence, is awaiting the day when he can go back to his family.

The 21-year-old, who was charged as a juvenile, wants to repay his family for the love they had showered on him despite his imprisonment.

“The first thing I want to do when I’m released is to thank them for what they have done for me,” said Dennis, who is studying business in prison.

His mother, M.L. Lim, 50, had never expected her eldest son to get involved in crime.

“When I found out, I was shocked but he is my son and I have to accept what he did.

“I hope he will learn a lesson and not mix with the wrong crowd. Now I want him to focus on his education.”

His father and four siblings, who were present yesterday, were excited to see him.

Lim said: “We visit him once a fortnight, but today is different as I get to hug him and keep him close to me even though it’s just for a while.”

Prison rehabilitation and treatment director Darusallam Budin said the luncheon was an annual event organised during festive occasions.

On inmates eligible for parole, he said 2,388 would be considered for release by August.

He added that if the offender committed a crime while on parole, a breach report would be made to the Parole Board to have the parole revoked.

Those eligible for parole are convicts involved in petty crime and those who have served more than half of sentences that exceed a year.