'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.

Thi, who served time for vehicle theft and drugs, among others, described an informal hierarchy in which prisoners controlling scarce contraband could command influence, privileges and the attention of fellow inmates.

Some were known as "peti sejuk" — inmates entrusted with hiding illicit items, he said.

Thi alleged that prohibited items could be concealed inside the body, including in the rectum, to avoid detection.

Prisoners suspected of swallowing or concealing contraband could be placed in isolation before being returned to their blocks, he said.

However, he alleged that some inmates still found ways to recover the items.

LIVING LIKE A KING

Thi said inmates controlling illicit items would receive special treatment from fellow prisoners.

Those without contraband, particularly newcomers, would be assigned tasks in return for their generosity.

One task involved "fan-ers" — inmates who used a face towel to fan the "king" while he slept.

The task could continue throughout the night, he said.

Thi, who spent time in the Taiping and Tapah prisons, said inmates quickly learned whom to approach for prohibited items, including tobacco, drugs, food and mobile phones.

"You learn quickly who to ask," he said.

He claimed some inmates could get mobile phones through outside contacts after first using a prison officer's mobile phone to make calls.

SECURITY CHECKS

Thi said inmates returning from court were subjected to several security checks, including physical searches and X-ray screening.

"Normally, the prisoners would surrender their belongings before being searched. This process could involve several wardens, physical searches and X-ray screening, but quite often they manage to smuggle in these items," he said.

He said inmates relied on concealment and trusted cellmates to hide prohibited items.

Even ordinary prison supplies could be used to consume smuggled tobacco or drugs, he said.

Thi said inmates could use paper from books, thread pulled from prison clothing or small bath towels, together with lighter parts such as the flint, spring and lighter head, to create a spark.

"We normally take a few pieces of thread, twist them together and then use the lighter components — the stone, spring and lighter head — to create a spark.

"When the thread is lit, we use that fire to light the tobacco or drugs that are smuggled in," he said. "Where there is demand, there will be people looking for ways to supply it. And where certain items are scarce, those who control them can acquire influence far beyond their size or status," he said.