'Scarce contraband can turn inmates into kings behind bars' [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: You can live like a “king” in prison if you have the resources and illicit items to trade, a former inmate identified only as Thi said.
!['Scarce contraband can turn inmates into kings behind bars' [WATCH]](/img/9029057)
Living like a king is possible in prison if one has access to illicit items, according to Thi, a former inmate. Those with scarce contraband could command influence, privileges, and the attention of fellow inmates. Prisoners could hide items in various ways, such as inside their bodies. Those suspected of smuggling contraband could face isolation.
Inmates controlling prohibited items received special treatment from others. Newcomers were often assigned tasks, like being the "fan-er," for the privilege of sleeping with the king. Some could acquire mobile phones through outside contacts and prison officers' phones. Inmates returned from court underwent multiple security checks, including physical searches and X-ray screening.
They used various items to conceal and consume smuggled items, such as paper, thread, towels, and parts from lighters.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
