From Prison to PhD: This Inmate Earned a Doctorate Behind Bars

Where were you when you were 14? Chances are you were probably in school, hanging out with friends, chasing trends and ready to take on the world. For most of us, it’s the beginning of our lives. But for this Malaysian man, life seemed to be over before it started. While we were exploring the world and all its possibilities, he was in prison, confined to a life of bars and walls.

Faced with a sentence that left him with no fixed release date, there was a possibility that Malik would never see the light of day again. A realisation that would break most others, Malik instead saw it as an opportunity. Not only did he repent for his crimes, he changed himself for the better with results visible to all who knew him.

While in prison he finished high school, college and even went as far as earning a PhD. Now a free man, his story has made headlines and has served as a reminder of the importance of education.

Let’s take a look at the story of the inmate who earned a doctorate behind bars.

Early Life

Malik Yatam was born in Sabah, a state in rural East Malaysia located on the island of Borneo. In 2001, 14-year old Malik left his home for the state of Selangor in Peninsular Malaysia. Forced to drop out of school in the seventh grade due to financial difficulties, Malik left for the city to pursue better work prospects to support his poor family.

Unfortunately, life did not prove to be any better in the city. Not paid a single cent for his six months of work in a local restaurant, he was also subject to physical abuse and exploitation by his employer. This culminated in an altercation that ended in Malik killing his boss.

Found guilty of murdering his employer, Malik’s age spared him from the death penalty. As a juvenile, he was instead sentenced to detention at the State ruler’s pleasure. This was essentially an indefinite prison term that could only be lifted by a pardon from the Sultan of Selangor, the ruler under whose jurisdiction Malik was imprisoned within.

As far as Malik was concerned, there was a good chance he wouldn’t be coming out. However, rather than give in to despair and uncertainty, his life would soon change in a very permanent way.

Education Behind Bars

While in prison, Malik fell under the charge of a kind officer. He urged Malik to use his time in prison as an opportunity to continue his studies. Although the pursuit of education is not compulsory in Malaysian prisons, inmates are encouraged to do so and are permitted to sit for major exams.

The officer assisted Malik in borrowing books, attending lessons and revising for his exams. Five years later, the former high school drop out was able to complete his secondary education. Having already achieved a milestone that at one time seemed impossible to him, Malik was not done.

Choosing to further his studies even more, he was mocked by other prisoners who saw his efforts as futile. Malik reasoned that even if he would never come out of prison, he would at least have taken the chance to become educated and equip himself with knowledge that would remain with him for life. He added that even if he spent his life behind bars, he could still help other inmates thanks to his own studies. A year after getting his high school diploma, he completed his foundational studies.

Thanks to support from the prison authorities, Malik was put in touch with generous benefactors who helped fund his higher education. This support allowed Malik to complete his Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD all while still in prison. Tailoring his studying routine to accommodate prison rules and regulations, he was able to complete his thesis on the entrepreneurial skills of inmates.

Becoming the first prisoner in Malaysia to achieve such a feat, Malik’s story began to make waves within the pardons board, across the country and to the Sultan himself. Much to his surprise, Malik was granted a Royal Pardon on 11 December 2024 in conjunction with the Sultan’s birthday.

Leaving prison to congratulations and well wishes, Malik was photographed hugging the officers who were in charge of him. His pardon was also very timely as it allowed him to attend his PhD convocation as a free man.

Life As A Free Man

Since his release, Malik has admitted that he found the transition back to life on the outside a bit of a challenge after 23 years behind bars. Although now a Doctor of Philosophy, he had to learn basic skills such as operating a smart phone, ordering deliveries online and booking an E-hailing ride. Still, he remained undeterred and learned fast.

He has since gotten married to a family acquaintance. Malik’s wife, who is a civil servant, has also been encouraged by him to further her studies as well. In fact, Malik has now dedicated his time to give talks to the youth to inspire them to remain committed to education. Using himself as an example of the powers of a good education, he swears by its ability to change lives for the better and to keep people out of trouble.

Malik now runs his own chilli farm where he has partnered with and hired several other ex-criminals who are similarly determined to change their lives. An inspiration to many, Malik was also granted an audience with the man who pardoned him. Meeting the Sultan of Selangor, it was the first time that a ruler and a criminal that he pardoned met face to face.

Both men were visibly emotional, with Malik thanking the Sultan for his decision to pardon him and the Sultan in turn revealing how moved he was by Malik’s resilience and determination. Reminding Malik to keep up the good work, the Sultan also agreed to bear the costs of Malik’s religious pilgrimage to Makkah.

The story of Dr Malik Yatam is a testament to the importance of education and is an inspirational tale of growth, resilience and redemption in the face of the most unfortunate circumstances.

Once a poor high school drop out facing life in prison, Malik Yatam is now an educated, enterprising man who proudly wears the title of Doctor.