Managing, Profiling and Family Support of Malaysian Women Drug Abuse Inmates

Abstract

Women engaging in the use of drugs have not only adverse effects on the country but also impose significant challenges in managing their incarceration and maintaining stable family structures. The review, therefore, aims to identify the approach of Malaysian Prison Department (PRIDE) in managing women’s drug abuse inmates as well as to explore their addiction experiences and, to determine the extent of family relationships they have by applied quantitative approach and cross-sectional analysis. One hundred fifty women respondent selected from the random stratified sample of Kajang Women Prison, Selangor inmates. Data then analyzed by using descriptive analysis. Results from this study provide an insight into the practical method by PRIDE to reduce demand through drug treatment and rehabilitation and to reduce supply and improving detection. The results of the study showed that majority of the respondents were Malay, Muslim, age range between 31 to 40 years, highest education level at SPM/MCE/SPVM and still single. More than half of the respondents were self-employed with monthly income between RM1001.00 to RM2000.00. A majority had been imprisonment between two to five times, with six to ten years length of addiction and, methamphetamines become the most drug had been abuse. Finding also showed that the majority of drug inmates engaged in a high level of family relationship. Findings from this research yielded vast implications to improve drug abuse safety and security as well as treatment and rehabilitation programs, particularly among women drug abuse inmates in Malaysia.