My life experience in Changi Prison (Cluster B)

[Jah_rastafar_I]

Re: All On Screen !

He led the team but the first three to enter were Indians and yes ordered to knock off the guy that surrendered and they did.

He led the team. A chinese led the team ok screwhead. A chinese was the first to enter and lead the team. End of argument. If someone enters first he has the greatest risk of getting shot or attacked and the rest won't be attacked if the first one gets hit. Screwhead use a better argument next time.

 

[Inmate]

Chapter 5.5: Home detention 1st interview

< ’Wednesday’ A new day arrived> I stare at the ceiling blankly. I know it is now 5am as the lights have just switched on and I can hear my neighbor showering. I have now slowly adapted to the prison’s life.

Although I know today will be another long meaningless day for me, I am still looking forward to meet new inmates and learnt more about the meaning of life. I want to make used and promise myself to be useful to the society again after my release. I have done many stupid things and due to my selfishness, I have made people near me suffered as well. Although I know myself I am not a professional legal trained.. I really hope whatever I reveal in my story can help and change people’s life.

After my breakfast, I was being notified to attend a interview regarding PPP program (Home detention scheme). Beside me, there are a few other inmates from other dayrooms as well. We were being escorted to the interview room within the same building and we were all being briefed by a highly ranked prison officer in the interview room.

He told that based on our records and backgrounds, we were selected and he will recommend us for PPP Program (Home Detention scheme). However, he told us that it is still not confirm as there are requirement, terms & conditions for us to fulfill and we are to undergo a second interview 1 week later if we wish to take up the PPP program.

He briefed us on our estimated home detention duration and other important requirement for PPP program:

- Require a normal ‘Singtel’ Telephone line for home detention more than 7 days

- No smoking/ drinking/ gambling (buying of 4D/ TOTO) during detention program

- Inmates are only allowed to leave our house from 12pm – 3pm daily (Different timing for special occasions).

- We are to be 24 hours for spot checks and be prepared to recall back to CPC for urine check at all time.

We’ll have the option to reject the home detention scheme and don’t be surprised that there are a few inmates who actually rejected the home detention scheme on the spot.

They claimed that they don’t have family support ( either homeless or staying alone), some felt that the duration of the program is too short and some thought it is too troublesome so they rather choose to stay in prison to complete their sentences.

What is Home Detention Scheme:


HOME DETENTION SCHEME

"Home Detention" , in relation to a prisoner, means the serving by the prisoner of his sentence of imprisonment in such place or places, outside the limits of any prison, as may be specified in the home detention order;

"home detention order" means an order of the Director under section 52;

"Superintendent" , in relation to a prisoner, means the Superintendent of the prison from which the prisoner had been released for home detention.

Order for home detention
52. Subject to section 53, the Director may, if he thinks fit, by order release a prisoner who is eligible for home detention for a period not exceeding 12 months or such other period as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe in substitution thereof.


Eligibility for home detention
53. —(1) A prisoner is eligible to be released for home detention under section 52 if —
(a) he is serving a sentence of imprisonment for a term of not less than 4 weeks or such other period as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe in substitution thereof;

(aa) he has served not less than 14 days of his sentence of imprisonment or such other period as the Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, prescribe in substitution thereof; and

(b) he is not a prisoner specified under the Schedule as being disqualified from being released for home detention under section 52.

(1A) The disqualification of a prisoner under subsection (1) (b) may be removed by the Minister if he considers that the prisoner is deserving of home detention, having regard to the circumstances of the case, including the following factors:

(a) the prisoner’s progress and response to rehabilitation in prison;

(b) the prisoner’s family support; and

(c) the risk of recidivism by the prisoner.

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1) (a), the total consecutive periods of imprisonment of whatever nature shall be treated as one sentence.


Conditions for home detention
54. —(1) A prisoner subject to a home detention order shall —

(a) remain indoors at his place of residence or at such other place or places as may be designated by the Director in the order, and between such times as may be specified in the order;

(b) wear at all times on such part of his body as the Director may specify, such electronic transmitting device as may be issued by the Director for the purpose of securing the electronic monitoring of his whereabouts by means of an electronic monitoring device;

(c) allow the Superintendent and any person authorised by the Superintendent to enter at any time his place of residence, or such other place or places designated by the Director under paragraph (a), to install, inspect, maintain, repair or retrieve any electronic monitoring device;

(d) allow a telephone line at his place of residence, or at such other place or places designated by the Director under paragraph (a), to be connected to an electronic monitoring device;

(e) ensure that there is no call waiting or call transfer facility attached to the telephone line referred to in paragraph (d) and that the telephone line is not connected to any cordless telephone, telephone answering machine, parallel telephone line, modulator — demodulator unit or any other equipment which may interfere with the proper functioning of the electronic monitoring device;

(f) not disconnect, remove, damage, tamper with, or lose the electronic transmitting device issued to him or the electronic monitoring device installed at his place of residence or at such other place or places designated by the Director under paragraph (a), or disconnect, remove, damage or tamper with the telephone line connected to the electronic monitoring device;

(g) immediately inform the Superintendent or any prison officer of any malfunction or loss of, or damage to, the electronic transmitting device or the electronic monitoring device;

(h) respond promptly to any telephone call from any person appointed by the Director to monitor prisoners who have been issued with an electronic transmitting device; and

(i) comply with such other conditions as the Director may specify in the order.

(2) The Director may at any time by order in writing served on the prisoner subject to a home detention order —

(a) vary, cancel or add to any of the conditions specified in subsection (1); or

(b) exempt the prisoner from any of the conditions specified in subsection (1).


Effect of home detention order
55. Where a home detention order is in force in respect of a prisoner —

(a) the prisoner shall be deemed to be serving his sentence of imprisonment;

(b) the prisoner shall be deemed to be in the lawful custody of the Superintendent; and

(c) the prisoner is entitled to earn remission in respect of the period of imprisonment which is served under the order.


Recall to prison
56. —(1) If a Superintendent has reason to suspect that a prisoner has failed to comply with any of the conditions of the home detention order, or has committed a disciplinary offence while being subject to a home detention order, the Superintendent may —

(a) make such inquiry as may be necessary to ascertain whether the prisoner has failed to comply with any of the conditions of the home detention order or committed a disciplinary offence while being subject to the order; and

(b) recall the prisoner to prison pending the completion of the inquiry.

(2) The period of the home detention order of a prisoner who is recalled to prison under subsection (1) (b) shall continue to run, notwithstanding the fact that he is recalled to prison, unless the order is revoked under section 57 or suspended under section 58.


Revocation of home detention order
57. —(1) If the Director is satisfied that —
(a) a prisoner has failed to return to prison after he has been recalled to prison under section 56 (1) (b);

(b) a prisoner has failed to comply with any of the conditions of the home detention order;

(c) a prisoner has committed a disciplinary offence while being subject to a home detention order;

(d) the whereabouts of a prisoner can no longer be electronically monitored at his place of residence, or at such other place or places at which the prisoner is required to remain within doors under the conditions of the home detention order; or

(e) it is necessary in the public interest to do so,

the Director may revoke the home detention order in respect of that prisoner and recall the prisoner to prison, and the prisoner shall, if at large, be deemed to be unlawfully at large.

(2) Upon the revocation of the home detention order under subsection (1), the prisoner shall serve the unexpired part of his sentence of imprisonment in prison.


Suspension of home detention order
58. —(1) Subject to subsection (2), where a prisoner subject to a home detention order is punished for a minor prison offence under section 70 (1) (a) or (b), or for an aggravated prison offence under section 71
(1) (b) or (c), the home detention order in respect of the prisoner shall, unless revoked under section 57, be suspended from the date on which the prisoner is punished for —

(a) the period that the prisoner is confined in a punishment cell pursuant to an order under section 70 (1) (a) or 71 (1) (b); or

(b) the period of remission which is forfeited pursuant to an order under section 70 (1) (b) or 71 (1) (c).

(2) If a prisoner is punished with both confinement in a punishment cell under section 70 (1) (a) or 71 (1) (b) and forfeiture of remission under section 70 (1) (b) or 71 (1) (c), the period for which the home detention order shall be suspended under subsection (1) shall be the sum of the period for which the prisoner is ordered to undergo confinement and the period of remission forfeited.


Powers to enter and search
59. A police officer of or above the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police or a police officer authorised by him may —

(a) enter and search a place without a warrant to effect the arrest of any prisoner who has failed to return to prison after he is recalled by the Superintendent under section 56 (1) (b); and

(b) in order to effect an entrance into that place, break open any outer or inner door or window of that place if he cannot otherwise obtain admittance thereto.
After the briefing, we were told by the officer to wait outside as he need to interview us individually. While waiting for my turn for the interview, I spoke to the inmate who was sitting beside me.

He is 3xx2. He is a indian in mid-forties. He told me that he was being charged for robbery. He was sentenced to jail term for 2 years 6 months + strokes of rotan (I don’t quite remember how many)

There was a day when a foreign worker from china tried to pick pocket one of his friend in the midnight. 3xx2 was with his friend and other 2 when this incident happened. His friend noticed that he had been pickpocket by the foreign worker and he told the group about it. Soon, the group managed to find and capture the foreign worker. They forced him into their van. They drove to Lim Chu Kang cemetery, tied him up and bash him up. The foreign worker plead to stop and offered them all his money in his pocket (about $10000). The group agreed and left quickly after taking the foreign worker’s money.

The group was arrested by the police within 1 week after the robbery.

From what he told me, I thought he was helping out a friend, out for revenge and to teach the foreign worker a lesson. In the end, his greed has destroyed him and his group of friends.

Soon I was being called into the interview room and the officer start to ask questions about my lifestyle, my work history, my crimes and my family background. The whole interview lasted for about 20 minutes. I was told to wait and I will be informed for the second interview if I am eligible.
Back to my cell room 629, I was informed to pack my belongings after 3pm muster check as I am transferring to other cell room....


Chapter 6: B4, HU1, Room 208

To Be Continued

 

[Inmate]

Chapter 6.1: B4/ HU1/ Room 208

Soon the cellroom door opened and my name was being called by the cookie. I do not know where I am transfering. I farewell to my roommates and exchange contacts before I step out from my cell room.

While assumble outside of dayroom 3, I can see there are others about 20 inmates including from other dayrooms beside me. We were being briefed to bring along our belongings and we will be transfer to HU1 ( HU1 consists of level 1 and 2 in B4) We were later being escort to the level 1 ( HU1) by a prison officer.

Another prison officer from level 1 took over and we were escorted to Dayroom 1 in HU1. The cookies and the prison officers from there carefully inspect our belongings. Then a briefing and orientation about HU1 house rules and regulations was conducted by a prison officer.

Most rules remain the same but somehow to me, HU1 tends to be much stricter. The only difference is our yardtime and dayroom activities are 2 hours.

We headed directly to our assigned cellroom after the briefing. Together with me, there are other 3 inmates from HU3 heading to the same cell room, 208.

I was nervous, I don’t know what type of my new roommates will be and what is coming in this new envoirment. The cellroom door open and I can see there are another 4 inmates inside. It seems that I am the youngest among all.

Remain calm and quiet, I put my belonging on the assigned area told by one of the inmate from the room. After I settle down, I self-introduce myself and ask the roommates about their own house rules.

After spending some time talking and listening to their conversation, I found out that the reason on why I have been transferred to HU1. HU1 is normally the last station for inmates who are releasing soon.

One more interesting thing I was being told; Room 209 and 210 which were just next to our cellroom, those inmates being locked up in the 2 cell rooms are the ones which we have alsobeen warned by the prison officers not to get near and communicate with anyone of them. Being caught by the officers will be punished. At first I thought those inmates are the ‘GRADE A’ prisoners (commit serious offences and was isolated) but I was wrong, they were somehow special than us…


For respect, we do not address them as ‘brothers’, instead we address them as ‘Sisters’................



Chapter 6.2: Sisters

To Be continued

 

[Inmate]

Chapter 6.2: Sisters

The orientation briefed by the police officer at HU1 was very clear and straight forward. All inmates are to obey and follow their house rules and we will be safe from punishment. There is another additional rule which we are to obey strictly. We are not supposed to have any communication with ‘Captain Mike’ at all times who are being locked up in Room 209/ 210 of HU1.

Wondering who are ‘Captain Mike’, I asked my new roommates in my cell room 208…

We address these ‘Captain Mike’ as ‘Sisters’. These are the inmates who are half transsexual. Most of them are Malays. They are the LT inmates in Cluster B who are all gathered and isolated together in room 209/ 210. Their hairs are the same length as any of us. These sisters are not allowed to communicate nor have their activities together with other inmates (us) at all times. They are being locked up in their cell room while we go out for ‘yard’ activity. They are the ones who can only stay at level 2 during ‘Dayroom’ activity while the rest of us will be gathered at level 1. They are the inmates who go out for work during daytime and only be back to their cell room in the night time. They are the ones who are allowed to wear an additional inner cloth together with the inmate’s shirt.

During lights off in the night, these sisters sound so cheerful, chatting and singing loudly while we are sleeping.

What crimes have they committed?

What do they work as while serving their sentences?

Where is their working location?

No inmates know… But one thing for sure is that these ‘sisters’ are treated with respect and equally by the prison officers.



Chapter 6.3: Reporting Sick
To Be Continued

 

[Inmate]

Chapter 6.3: Reporting Sick

Information: Primary health care for inmates is currently provided by qualified doctors and medical staff from a professional medical service provider. All newly-admitted inmates shall be seen by a doctor. They should inform the doctor of any pre-existing illness and any medication they were taking prior to their admission. All inmates are given adequate medical care during their incarceration

After being locked up in CPC for days, I thought it will be a good chance for me to quit smoking which I have tried a number of attempts before. I can only admit that my will was not strong enough before.

For the first two days in CPC, feeling helpless, stress and all types of negative emotions, I was miserable for the first few days without smoking. But as time passed living in a smoke-free environment, I have overcome this miserable feeling and had slowly get used to the healthy lifestyle once again. I am not alone, many others have quit their smoking habits after their release.

Till one fine day my throat feels dry and hurt whenever I swallow my saliva. I have proper meals, enough sleep and not smoke throughout my days in CPC so I do not know the reason what causes my throat to hurt. Is it due to sudden stop of smoking? Is it due the warm temperature in cell room? Or is it due to the consuming of tap water from the cell room?

I have been told that once I reported sick, I’ll have to stay in my cell room at all times for the next three days without activities. My normal food menu may change and I may even get isolated if my body temperature runs high. Knowing all the consequences, I am prepared to report sick as I know myself that my sickness will worsen if I choose not to do anything about it.

The cookie will normally went around the cell rooms to check if any inmates want to report sick and see to the doctor on the next following day. I waited for his arrival and registered my name.

< The Next Day> I was being called up after muster check in the morning. Together with other inmates from all dayrooms who have reported sick, we were escorted to the sick bay area within the same building.

Upon reaching the destination, walking past the lock-up rooms located inside the sick bay, I can see through clearly what the inmates in those lock-up rooms are doing as it was not blocked by the normal blue color cell room’s door but are piles of iron bars. There were beds in those lock-up rooms, there are inmates being handcruff to the bed. Some are lying on the beds, facing directly the the bright lights from the ceiling while others hide themselves under the beds…

Throughout the whole process was quite fast and the doctor are from Raffles Medical Group. Medicine was issued for my sickness and the timing for consuming the medicine are standard in CPC which will be half hour before our meals.

Information: Notice for time to eat medicine: ‘Jia York’

On the way back after we are done, inmates who are running high fever were ordered to pack their belongings and they will be isolated together in a individual cell room.

Throughout this experience, I have seen and met inmates who have purposely committed crimes for the sake of the free medical care in CPC which they couldn’t afford in the outside world. Some reported sick hoping to use this excuse to enlighten their sentences and others claim to be sick (which they are not) for various reasons.

I would advice to anyone who will be going in to CPC soon that it will be a wise choice for you not to report sick unnecessary. As mentioned by most of the ex-convicts, one of the biggest nightmare in CPC is when you got sick. Take very good care of your health in CPC and pray for yourself not to get any serious sickness throughout your lockup. It is also a wise choice for you not to report sick if you are totally not sick.





Chapter 6.4: Drugs
To Be Continued

 

[Mb2014]

changiwomensprison.blogspot.sg/?m=0

 

[Mb2014]

changiwomensprison.blogspot.sg/?m=0

Cwp

 

[ChinChaiOne]

Chapter 6.4: Drugs Trafficking

One of the new roommate wasn't happy and was sleepless for the past few days even though he will be released on the next day. He is Gary, about 30 years old, married, have a daughter age 3 years old, was jailed for 2 years drug offence. He do not communicate much with us (Me and other other 3 new comers).

I do not know the reason behind why he wasn't happy same as those who are going to release soon and get back their freedom, till another roommate told me that he will be coming back again very soon for at least another 10 years term + caning. I was shock when I learn that he still have another 2 pending case which have not been sentence. One is having sex with under a 16 years old prostitute and another is offering drugs to that prostitiute. Both were caught red-handed on the spot at a budget hotel in the Singapore Famous Red-Light District.

Now he is prepare to flee if there's a chance for him to do so (he told us personally before lights off). He knew the moment he step out from CPC tomorrow morning, he will be handcruff by the CID Officers and bought back to Cantonment HQ for investgation again. All he hope now is a chance for bailing out and he will try all means to flee on his bailing period.

If you are him, knowing that you will never get your freedom for another at least 10 years after your release, will you choose the way that he intend to?

Is he doing this for himself or for his wife and daughter?

What will happen next to his wife and daughter?

Drug trafficking do earns us awsome money, it will also bring us to the end as well.

Drugs related Offences is the top 5 offences in Singapore and anyone get caught related to drugs, get prepared for the worst and you may even need to standby to meet your doom.

Meeting Gary remained me of one of the famous drug trafficking case on 2007 that shocked the whole asia:

Yong VuiKong is a Malaysian. Caught when he was 19-years old for drug trafficking inS'pore, he currently sits on death row at Changi Prison. It has been more than4 years since that fateful day in 2007 at Orchard Road when he was arrested by thepolice.

In this special series of stories, by Kirsten Han of Second Chances, she visits VuiKong’s hometown in Sabah, East Malaysia, to uncover why a boy from a poorvillage in Malaysia has ended up on death row in S'pore.

Singapore’s highest court on Monday affirmed adeath sentence imposed on a Malaysian youth convicted of drug trafficking,which could pave the way for his execution by hanging.

It was the finaljudicial appeal for Yong Vui Kong, 23, against his conviction for smugglingheroin.

“We are unanimousin dismissing this appeal,” said Singapore chief justice Chan SekKeong, who heads the three-judge Court of Appeal, dismissing the defence’sarguments as “without merit”.

Yong, handcuffedin purple prison overalls and guarded by a dozen policemen, buried his face inhis hands after the ruling was announced before being led away by the police.

His two brothers,also in their 20s, were present at the hearing.

Yong was convicted by the High Court in 2008 at the age of 19 of trafficking 47 grams(1.65 ounces) of heroin into Singapore and was given the mandatory death sentence.

Previous appeals to Singapore President S.R. Nathan and to the Court of Appeal had been rejected.

Yong’s lawyer M.Ravi expressed shock at the judgement.

“My heart justbleeds at the inhumanity of the law,” he told reporters after the hearing,adding that he would submit a fresh clemency appeal to Singapore’s president,notwithstanding the failure of his first attempt.

Ravi saidYong would not be executed for six months as the president mulled over the newclemency plea.

Malaysian foreignminister Anifah Aman had weighed in with a letter to the Singaporegovernment in July last year to plead for clemency.

But Jack Lee,assistant professor of law at the Singapore Management University,expressed scepticism about the new clemency plea succeeding.

“The thing is,unless there is some change of circumstance, I can’t see the cabinet changingits mind to advise the president to grant clemency,” he told AFP.

AmnestyInternational, which has been critical of the wealthy city-state’s use of the death penalty, said in its latest report that Singapore handed down “at leasteight death sentences” last year.

“Death sentences continued to be mandatorily imposed in Singapore, mostly for drug-relatedoffences and mainly against foreign nationals,” it said.

In Singapore, thedeath penalty is mandatory for anyone caught trafficking more than 15 grams ofheroin, 30 grams of cocaine or 500 grams of cannabis.

Singapore officials have defended the use of capital punishment as crucial in the fight against crime.

If anyone of you know about this case, guess you already know that his dealth leniency was not granted till now no matter how the citizens wrote in and protest. So whatever you do, better stay as far as you can from drugs!

 

[hammerhammer]

Nice read.

 

[lurpsexx]

Thank you for your detailed insights, very educational and rarely available elsewhere. Please keep up your good deed and hope to read more of your prison experience..

 

[Sandfly]

Sorry,may I ask if a sentence of imprisonment of less than 1month will have deduction of 1/3 of the whole duration as well?

 

[benchph]

Let me just update this thread. I am an FT who got jailed in Singapore.

Its not true that only Foreigners are sent to AWP. (Admiralty West Prison) locals who have short sentences are also sent to AWP. But as to what are their criteria for choosing locals who will be sent to AWP, i have no idea.

Last time i was inside, there was a rumor that AWP will be demolished and closed for good in 2020. All prisoners will be transferred to CPC.

 

[sohbuckkong]

There are alot of chow ah Bengs, and those bastards pai kias, especially those with tattoos, very proud of themselves that they have served time in prisons.

Pui..!!! If u think you are great，balls to you, u r just the scums of societies.

If you are brave, hv turned over a new leaf and regretted what u have done, I'm very sure you will be so ashamed of yourself, of your past and u will never ever want people to know that you have entered prisons, lockups etc.

So please don't boast to people that you have entered lockups or prisons.

 

[castello]

There are alot of chow ah Bengs, and those bastards pai kias, especially those with tattoos, very proud of themselves that they have served time in prisons.

Pui..!!! If u think you are great，balls to you, u r just the scums of societies.

If you are brave, hv turned over a new leaf and regretted what u have done, I'm very sure you will be so ashamed of yourself, of your past and u will never ever want people to know that you have entered prisons, lockups etc.

So please don't boast to people that you have entered lockups or prisons.

I don't see any boasting.
There are very few article that tell us what's going on behind the wall, and this is one of the few educational ones.

 

[Insider Player]

Let me just update this thread. I am an FT who got jailed in Singapore.

Its not true that only Foreigners are sent to AWP. (Admiralty West Prison) locals who have short sentences are also sent to AWP. But as to what are their criteria for choosing locals who will be sent to AWP, i have no idea.

Last time i was inside, there was a rumor that AWP will be demolished and closed for good in 2020. All prisoners will be transferred to CPC.

No more AWP now aliens go to TMP but yes not all aliens go AWP last time and sinkies also went to AWP.