Self-Perceived Employability and Readiness for Reentry into Society: Insights from Prerelease Inmates in Sarawak, Malaysia

Reentry involves a multifaceted reintegration process following incarceration, requiring social, psychological, and economic adjustments. This study examined the relationship between self-perceived employability and readiness for reentry among 384 prerelease inmates in six Sarawak prisons in Malaysia. Most participants were Malay males aged 25–29 years, with upper secondary education and multiple convictions, primarily for drug-related offences. Statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between self-perceived employability and reentry readiness. These findings highlight the role of employability in successful reintegration and provide policymakers with place-based evidence to design tailored interventions aligned with Malaysia's commitment to sustainable development goal 16.