1. BACKGROUND OF ESTABLISHMENT

• Its establishment was mooted by the Director General of Prisons in April 2004 to expose students in forms 1 to 5 to the role and functions of the Prisons Department in the management and rehabilitation of offenders of the country’s laws in order to mould them into disciplined individuals, mentally and physically, as preparation for them to be leaders of the future.
• Discussions and briefings were held with the Ministry of Education in the same year. The Correctional Cadets would form part of the secondary school co-curricular activities as defined in the Education Act 1961. This is consistent with the requirement of the Ministry of Education for all students to be a member of a uniformed body. It would also serve as mental and physical preparation for the students who will undergo national service training.
• The proposal was approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs in June 2004. Students of the Kasih Hostel of the Poverty Eradication Foundation in Serendah, Selangor were the pioneer group of correctional cadets numbering 49 students. The Correctional Cadets were launched by Dato’ Seri Chia Kwang Chye, a former Deputy Minister of Internal Security, on 11 October 2004 on the occasion of the Prisons Department Day celebration. He directed the establishment of the Correctional Cadets to be expanded to all secondary schools whereby the mission would be one school per state at the minimum.

2. AIM

The aim of establishing the Correctional Cadets is to nurture society, especially the youth, through various activities planned to improve discipline and build character, to foster a cooperative spirit and patriotism as well as to give exposure and understanding of their responsibilities in guiding their peers to prevent social problems.

3. OBJECTIVES

• To improve self-discipline by obeying regulations and laws in an effort to overcome the problem of truancy, gangsterism, smoking, bullying, misconduct and others among students
• To produce respectable individuals who can guide their peers who are facing problems
• To instil a spirit of cooperation and oneness among students in order to develop individuals who help one another and are united in every endeavour
• To produce individuals who are responsible to their religion and country
• To produce physically, emotionally and spiritually strong individuals who are disciplined and intellectual to become future leaders
• To develop counselling skills
• To develop skills in influencing their peers to stay away from unhealthy activities
• To organise activities that can instil caution in dealing with any criminal behaviour such as rape

4. MEMBERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY

• Open to all secondary school students
• Open to all education service officers
• Members of the Army Cadets, Police Cadets, Fire and Rescue Cadets, St John Ambulance and other uniformed units are not permitted to join the Correctional Cadets
• Each applicant shall be of sound health and certified by a medical officer.
• Each application shall be verified and supported by the school principal.

5. CADET CORRECTIONAL TRAINING PHILOSOPHY

To develop the ability of students at all levels of secondary school by imparting the appropriate knowledge, skills and positive attitude such that they will be competitive in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities with positive personal values and attitude towards themselves, their duties and the school. This will be achieved through comprehensive training in the physical, mental and spiritual development of the individual based on an organised, systematic and continuous training programme.

6. CURRICULUM / ACTIVITY

• Formation of self-discipline – This aspect will be given priority and includes dress code and behaviour
• Assimilation of noble values and courtesy – In line with the aspiration of the government to instil noble values and courtesy in society
• Basic prison knowledge – Matters related to general knowledge of prison including prison laws/regulations and visits to prison institutions
• Counselling skills – All cadets will be taught counselling and interpersonal skills to enable them to become effective peer guides.
• Personal resilience – Training will be conducted in the form of marching, martial arts (SENTAP), survival skills, expedition, cycling, obstacle courses and others which may be carried out during co-curricular activities and annual camping trips.
• Leadership – All cadets will be trained in leadership, platoon management and motivation so as to develop resilience.
• Community service – Activities carried out to nurture a caring society include visits to welfare homes and volunteering in the community.
• Creativity – Correctional cadets will be exposed to and encouraged to develop their hobbies through projects such as stamp collecting, model building, cooking and landscape designing.

7. APPLICATION OF ASK CONCEPT

The Prisons Department will apply the ASK (attitude, skills and knowledge) concept in the activities of the Correctional Cadets for the formation of a commendable attitude, skills and knowledge in students through planned training modules. It is hoped that the students, upon finishing school, will continue to apply this concept in their working life which will indirectly make them good citizens who are progressive in matters pertaining to themselves, their families and society.

8. TRAINERS AND INSTRUCTORS

Experienced trainers and instructors with a good track record will be chosen from amongst Prisons Department personnel. The department has officers who are vastly experienced in training. The instructors selected include senior officers from prison training centres as well as prison institutions in close proximity to the school. The chosen trainers and instructors will be briefed from time to time to ensure their sensitivity and awareness of the requirements of the students as well as the Education Department.

9. ROLES AND SCOPE OF DUTIES OF CADET

• To act as guides to their peers through counselling and advisory programmes
• To carry out crowd control during sports day or other school events
• To assist in maintaining discipline in school
• To assist prison personnel who are on duty at the schools during certain activities
• To provide information to the school administration of any misconduct by any persons within the school compoun
• To participate in camping activities, assemblies, parades and shows at school, district, state and national levels

10. BENEFITS

i) Education Department and Students

• Training is provided to meet the needs of the correctional cadets in the form of systematic training specially designed for the Education Department.
• The public becomes more familiar with the Prisons Department through education in/exposure to the duties and roles of the department in ensuring the security and well-being of the community.
• Secondary school students are offered a specially designed programme as preparation for undergoing national service training.
• The Prisons Department will recognise this training programme and issue a certificate in cooperation with the Education Department.
• Students will have the opportunity to learn about the policies and systems applied and practised in the prisons.
• Expertise of the staff and the programme materials provided by the Prisons Department are consistent with the training practices of other national uniformed bodies.
• The relationship between the Prisons Department and the Education Department is further developed.
• Career opportunities are made available to students who are interested to join the Prisons Department after finishing school.

ii) Prisons Department

• The status/image of the department is raised.
• The skills of the department’s instructors/trainers are developed through the opportunity to impart their knowledge and skills to the students.
• Opportunities are opened up for broader cooperation and training opportunities are expanded.

Students are exposed to the cadets at the Basic Technique Art Deft Prison
'SENTAP' to stimulate, develop self-esteem and confidence in themselves.

Coach Training Unit provides training and guidance

Examination of clothing and accessories in conjunction with the competing teams
KOKU Sunday or Monday Co-curricular SMK Kamunting.