Once involved in offences such as theft and snatch theft, Eddie said he had repeatedly broken the law to fund his drug habit.
His turning point came after undergoing rehabilitation under the prisons department, followed by his placement at the Kluang Inmate Reintegration Centre.
There, he was given an unexpected responsibility. “I was appointed as the ‘penghulu’ for inmates here, making sure they follow the rules,” he told Bernama.
The role, he said, forced him to confront his past and reshape his outlook. “It made me reflect on my mistakes and learn to respect the law.”
Discipline is at the heart of daily life at the centre, where inmates follow a structured schedule while taking part in skills-based programmes designed to prepare them for life after release.
Inmates are trained in areas such as agriculture, livestock, landscaping, fisheries, electrical maintenance and cooking, with each activity forming part of a routine they are expected to follow closely.
“Everyone has to stick to the schedule,” Eddie said, adding that, at the time, he was due to be released in about 13 months.
For him, the opportunity represented more than just a second chance – it marked the beginning of a new chapter. “I wanted to build a better life when I returned to society,” he said.
Another inmate, Malik, 54, shared a similar sense of reflection, saying his conviction for embezzlement nine years ago became a turning point that taught him the value of honesty and responsibility.
Assigned to administrative duties ahead of his release, he said the experience helped him develop a stronger sense of accountability and taught him to “complete tasks with integrity”.
Administrative officer Syarifuddin Kasimin said inmates receive hands-on guidance in practical fields that equip them for working life upon release.
The programme also involves external partners – including the agriculture department, the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi), and universities – to provide broader exposure and training opportunities.
Syarifuddin added that the approach is designed not only to equip inmates with practical skills but also to strengthen their discipline and character.
For inmates like Eddie and Malik, that structure has made all the difference – proof that change, however difficult, is possible with the right support and a willingness to start again.