SEPANG – At the Pusat Reintegrasi Penghuni (PRP) Sepang, a haircut is more than just a haircut.
For the inmates working at the newly launched Relife Barber Shop & Car Wash Stesen Komuniti, each trim represents resilience, self-worth, and a path towards rebuilding their lives.
“These scissors are not just shaping hair; they are shaping futures,” said K. Prakash, Chairman of the Malaysia Needy Association, during the launch officiated by Deputy Commissioner General of Prisons, Ahmad Faudzi Awang.
He reminded that while the individuals behind the barber chairs are still inmates referred to as ODS (Orang DiSelia), they are undergoing rehabilitation and guided reintegration under the Malaysian Prison Department.
“No matter how hard someone has stumbled, there is always room to rise again. Even hair that doesn’t grow naturally can be replanted.
“Likewise, when a person is determined to change, society must give them the opportunity to prove themselves,” Prakash said.
The barber shop is the first project built entirely by ODS within just two months at PRP Sepang.
Many had earlier completed barbering courses at Sungai Buloh Prison, and now practise their skills in real service to the community.
Beyond being a workplace, Relife also acts as a training hub where more ODS can polish their craft before re-entering society.
The project echoes the objectives of APPGM–SDG in strengthening sustainable development, particularly in creating employment opportunities and reducing social inequality.
Prakash stressed that prisons should not only be viewed as institutions of punishment, but as places of transformation.
“Few realise that inmates are trained in carpentry, tailoring, cooking, and barbering. These skills become their capital for a new life when the time comes for them to walk free,” he explained.
He urged Malaysians not to stigmatise those who have served their sentences.
“Completing a term in prison should not mean being punished again by society.
“If we want a more inclusive, caring, and progressive nation, we must open doors for them to live independently and contribute positively,” he said.
The launch drew attendance from senior prison officials, the APPGM–SDG Secretariat, Parole Board members, and staff of the Malaysian Prison Department.
For the ODS involved, Relife Barber Shop is more than a livelihood project.
It is a stage to prove that change is possible, and that with guidance and trust, even those behind bars can rebuild their dignity. -MalayaDailyToday
