KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 — The Prisons Department is encouraging non-governmental organisations to collaborate in providing counselling services to inmates serving drug abuse sentences.
Its Deputy Commissioner (Community), Datuk Ibrisam Abdul Rahman, said this cooperation will help boost mental health facilities within prison institutions.
“I strongly encourage mental health management programmes and psychological awareness initiatives for inmates involved in drug abuse as this will have a huge impact on them,” he said at the Psychology Convention today.
Drug abuse requires serious attention, as it involves behavioural and mental health problems and can cause some to experience hallucinations and violent behaviour.
“Stimulant drugs are primarily associated with mental disorders and can cause addicts to behave irrationally, including experiencing depression, mania, behavioural changes, and violence.
“In 2023, 1,574 prisoners were found to have mental problems. Hallucinations, hearing voices, and acting aggressively are the effects drug addicts experience,” Ibrisam said.
The department provides mental health care services through various methods, including counselling sessions by qualified psychologists and prison officers.
Other initiatives include psychological tests and assessments such as “Know Yourself Know Others”, “Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21”, “Drug Use Questionnaire”, and the “University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale (Urica)”.
He believes these services (Psychology and Counseling) are critical in correctional institutions like prisons, as they offer inmates a second chance towards becoming responsible citizens and a better future.
— Bernama
