Job-hunting Gen-Zs aren’t the only ones looking for a hybrid working style. Convicts too are invested in the idea of serving their punishment at home instead of the jail cell.
Not too long ago, there was an uproar when it was made known to the public that Najib Razak may be serving the remaining of his sentence within the comforts of his home.
To most Malaysian, this is an injustice because the public has been well-fed with the idea that criminals must remain behind bars and suffer the inconvenience or discomfort associated with a prison. However, it is important to leave emotions out of this and consider house arrest from an objective and cost-benefit standpoint.
To this end, house arrest may serve as a viable alternative incarceration. Conceptually, house arrest is detention not for the naughty kids but for those with a criminal record.
Contrary to popular beliefs, house arrest has its advantages. Firstly, cost-effectiveness – it reduces congestion in prison hence reduces costs of operating prisons which are expensive. Secondly, reducing congestion of prisons reduces the possibility of inmates learning from other hardcore criminals and becoming one themselves. Thirdly, house arrest allows inmates the opportunity to slowly incorporate themselves back into the society.
A house arrest restricts the movement of the offender. Several terms may be imposed on the offender to further restrict their movements.
House arrest is famously associated with the usage of ankle monitor fixed on the offender’s ankle. It will monitor their movement and should they cross the line, it will be detected by the prison authorities / police to act upon.
Plenty of countries have applied it namely United States of America, New Zealand, Indonesia and Singapore – with much success.
Further, House Arrest Bill will be tabled soon here in Malaysia but not everyone qualifies for house arrest. According to the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, the type of offenders that may qualify are the first-time offenders who did not commit serious crimes, pregnant women, the elderly and the disabled.
So, it remains to be seen how the legal framework for the house arrest bill will be structured. In the meantime, Najib Razak may have to wait a while more in prison before he is able to enjoy his caramel macchiato fix while watching the sun rise and sets in the political horizon from the comfort of his home.
About the Author
Afiq Iskandar is a Legal Associate of XK Law. He graduated from MARA University of Technology, Malaysia. Afiq has multiple interests in life beyond reading law viz. sports, film, music and poetry. He believes that art, in whatever form they may be, is a necessity of life.
