Non Custodial Treatment of Offenders: The Malaysian Approach

Crime as a social phenomenon has existed throughout the history of mankind, however it is increasingly realized that to reduce the crime rate and deleterious effects of crime on society, a constructive and meaningful policy is required. There is a growing awareness that one such constructive approach is the change from custodial measures of punishment to non-custodial measures. This policy is in line with crime control programs. In all societies efforts are being made to control crime as well as to relieve offenders, their families and societies as a whole from the ill-effects of crime by adopting community-oriented programs of punishment. This article examines closely the aims, the effectiveness and the use of various noncustodial measures. The measures to be discussed in this paper include absolute and conditional discharge, binding over, probation, fine, community services and attendance centers