Malaysia

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CountryMalaysia
Ministry responsible
Ministry of Home Affairs
Prison administration
Malaysia Prison Department
Contact address
Prison Headquarters, Bukit Wira, 43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Telephone
+60 3 8732 8000
Fax
+60 3 8739 9205
Website
http://www.prison.gov.my
Email
pro@prison.gov.my
Head of prison administration (and title)
Datuk Nordin Muhamad
Commissioner General
Prison population total (including pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners)
87 419
at 5.11.2024 (national prison administration)
Prison population rate (per 100,000 of national population)
256
based on an estimated national population of 34.10 million at beginning of November 2024 (from United Nations figures)
Pre-trial detainees / remand prisoners (percentage of prison population)
41.7%
(mid-2021)
Female prisoners (percentage of prison population)
5.9%
(mid-2021)
Juveniles / minors / young prisoners incl. definition (percentage of prison population)
2.2%
(30.9.2002)
Foreign prisoners (percentage of prison population)
18.3%
(mid-2021)
Number of establishments / institutions
43
(2024)
Official capacity of prison system
82 482
(5.11.2024)
Occupancy level (based on official capacity)
106.0%
(5.11.2024)
Prison population trend
(year, prison population total, prison population rate)
2000 27,358 116
2002 28,804 118
2004 43,424 171
2006 42,389 161
2008 39,440 145
2010 38,387 137
2012 36,608 126
2014 47,986 160
2016 55,490 180
2018 59,278 188
2020 66,791 206
2000 27,358 116
2002 28,804 118
2004 43,424 171
2006 42,389 161
2008 39,440 145
2010 38,387 137
2012 36,608 126
2014 47,986 160
2016 55,490 180
2018 59,278 188
2020 66,791 206

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Pre-trial/remand prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the recent trend in the pre-trial/remand prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that pre-trial/remand prisoners constituted on that day.  

The final column shows the pre-trial/remand population rate per 100,000 of the national population. 

                                                    MALAYSIA

Year

Number in
pre-trial/remand
imprisonment

Percentage
of total
prison population

Pre-trial/remand
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2018

7,744
13,352
10,472
13,186
15,818

29.8%
37.5%
27.3%
25.8%
26.7%

33
52
37
43
50

2021

25,739

41.7%

79

It should be noted that the number of pre-trial/remand prisoners fluctuates from day to day, month to month and year to year. Consequently the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The pre-trial/remand population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities. 

Female prison population: trend

The table below gives an indication of the trend in the female prison population. The final row shows the latest figures available.

It consists of the number of female prisoners in the prison population on a single date in the year (or the annual average) and the percentage of the total prison population that female prisoners constituted on that day. 

The final column shows the female prison population rate per 100,000 of the national population.

                                                   MALAYSIA

Year

Number of
female
prisoners

Percentage
of total
prison population

Female prison
population rate
(per 100,000 of
national population)

2000
2005
2010
2015
2019

1,246
2,322
2,544
3,354
3,247

4.8%
6.5%
6.6%
6.6%
4.5%

5.3
8.9
9.0
11.1
10.2

2021

3,652

5.9%

11.1

The number of female prisoners fluctuates and so the above figures give an indication of the trend but the picture is inevitably incomplete.

The female prison population rate is calculated on the basis of the national population total. All national population figures are inevitably estimates but the estimates used in the World Prison Brief are based on official national figures, United Nations figures or figures from other recognised international authorities.

(If the rate were calculated on the basis of the number of females in the national population it would of course be approximately double the figure in the final column).

Prison population total
Prison population rate