UUM ONLINE: Experience in handling and managing parole should be meticulously documented, particularly in relation to the behavioural and psychological aspects of parolees, alongside any relevant patents.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dato’ Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan said that in order to enhance this initiative, he recommends exporting of the Parole Intervention Executive Certificate (SEIP) programme to ASEAN countries, including Indonesia and other member countries of the ASEAN community.
He expressed confidence that, after conducting multiple series of SEIP programmes, both UUM School of Applied Psychology, Policy and Social Work (SAPSP) and the Malaysian Prisons Department (JPM), have acquired substantial new knowledge and experience in the field. Hence, the time has arrived for this module to be standardized and formally documented.
He said that the SEIP programme is a collaborative initiative specifically devised between SAPSP and the Malaysian Prisons Department, facilitated by the Parole and Community Services Department. The participants in this programme comprise JPM officers who are actively engaged in parole services nationwide.
“In this context, UUM through SAPSP possesses a diverse pool of experts in the fields of counselling, corrections, and social work. These fields are highly pertinent to the management of human concerns encountered by incarcerated individuals, especially those on parole.
“JPM also offers expertise in areas of inmate management, especially through its parole department. In other words, this programme represents a collaborative effort between two institutions, providing a holistic approach to addressing humanistic parole issues,” he stated in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, during the 2024 Parole Intervention Executive Certificate (SEIP) Graduation Ceremony at EDC UUM on Sunday morning.
The Vice-Chancellor affirmed his belief that the SEIP programme, which spanned three months this year, has successfully achieved its objectives and provided benefits by developing efficient parole officers.
He also reiterated UUM’s commitment to fostering a conducive platform for the teaching and learning process. Hence, UUM has enhanced its ICT infrastructure and smart lecture rooms to better accommodate online programmes, referred to as Open Distance Learning (ODL).
He further noted that UUM will continue to offer opportunities for all Malaysians to pursue knowledge at its Sintok campus, in accordance with the philosophy of lifelong learning.
Meanwhile, the Director of Parole and Community Services Division, Malaysian Prisons Department, Chief Commissioner Zainah Pardi said that 36 participants, comprising district parole officers and institutional parole officers, successfully completed the Parole Intervention Executive Certificate programme during this session.
According to her, this marks the third instalment of the programme, which has been conducted in collaboration with UUM Leads and SAPSP since 2017. This year, the programme was conducted over a duration of ten days from 19 to 28 August.
She said that participants will engage in practical training at the operational field setting, where the intervention programme are collaboratively developed with community prospects.
“To ensure the seamless implementation of this programme, it is essential to focus on enhancing the skills and competencies of staff, thus reducing the likelihood of repeat offenders among rehabilitated offenders.
“We extend our gratitude to UUM for its contributions towards enhancing the expertise of parole officers. I hope all participants have gained valuable insights from the courses offered during this period,” she said.
Also present at the ceremony were the Dean of the School of Applied Psychology, Policy and Social Work (SAPSP), Assoc. Prof. Dr Md. Zawawi Abu Bakar; Director of the Centre for Professional and Further Education (PACE), Assoc. Prof. Dr Herman Shah Anuar; and General Manager, UUMLEADS, Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Sobri Don @ A Wahab as well as senior officials from the university and the Malaysian Prisons Department.
