From prison jumpsuit to graduation robe: A tale of how an inmate gets degree behind bars

The visit to the prison, which houses over 3,000 inmates undergoing mandatory prison sentences, was to meet an inmate who is serving a maximum sentence for murder.

Nothing can prepare a mere mortal, a meeting with an inmate who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for a twin murder charge.

I was relieved, as we were warmly welcomed by the prison warden soon after we arrived at the prison main entrance for the interview, earlier this month.

We were whisked to the wing -- which houses the cells for prisoners incarcerated for murder sentences -- my blood rushed through me and my heart was beating faster.

The short interview with an inmate, who prefers to be known as ‘Abdul Halim’, 30 was a smooth sailing affair.

The Sabah-born readily admitted that living behind the 'iron curtain' has never ceased his undying passion to obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Indeed, his days are mostly filled reading and completing his online assignments. When he was arrested for alleged murder of his employer and the latter’s son, Abdul Halim was an illiterate. A year later, he started taking classes.

Coupled with his undying passion to learn, Abdul Halim became a candidate of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) in 2005. He passed with flying colours.

Since then, Abdul Halim pursued his ambitions and sat for several examinations including the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) and Bachelor’s Degree.

Abdul Halim is one of the 14 inmates who had succeeded in obtaining their degree scrolls at the Kajang Prison. To date, 14 are Bachelor’s Degree holders while 20 are Diploma holders.

The transformation that the Malaysia Prisons Department has seen a makeover in the education landscape among inmates in the country.

Indeed, the collaboration between the Prisons Department and Open University Malaysia has spawned a considerable number of inmates who have succeeded in obtaining their degree.

The history of university education among prisoners started in 2009 after an inmate’s mother from Kajang Prison wrote an open letter to OUM seeking for the university to open its door to providing education to prisoners.

What’s more shocking was when the writer learnt that a majority of the inmates were illiterate but fuelled by an undying passion to excel in life, they have succeeded.

The borderless education system that is far from learning discrimination among inmates have borne fruitful.

It may sound far-fetched but Abdul Halim is a firm advocate of the saying, 'the sky's the limit'.

Their perseverance has drawn several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to channel education fund and materials to ensure the inmates receive the best education available.