Stories had been told how nice and good life in Changi Hilton, and people still don't believe. But once they had personally tried once, they will never look back@!
All the falsehood about Singapore very safe and strict law etc myth cannot bluff people any more. Mata are useless. Changi Hilton is 6 star! Who is afraid of PAP's Laws? Only those who have not tried! Once you tried, you will get addicted for long term!
https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...to-prison-within-5-years-of-release-shanmugam
Almost half of ex-offenders return to prison within 5 years of release: Shanmugam
Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said inmates who are released often find themselves without the social support needed to reintegrate into society, and may also face family troubles as well as difficulty in finding jobs.ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
Published
10 hours ago
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Charmaine Ng
SINGAPORE - Over 40 per cent of offenders released in 2013 returned to prison within five years, it was revealed on Friday (June 28), with Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam calling the figure a "cause for concern".
While noting that Singapore's overall recidivism rate is better than many other countries, the minister, speaking at a seminar on aftercare efforts for ex-offenders, said there is room for improvement.
According to additional statistics released to The Straits Times by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the five-year recidivism rate saw a slight dip for inmates who were released in 2013, compared to the previous two cohorts.
Forty-one per cent of inmates released in 2013 reoffended within five years, down from 43 per cent for inmates released in 2011 and 2012.
Mr Shanmugam said inmates who are released often find themselves without the social support needed to reintegrate into society, and may also face family troubles as well as difficulty in finding jobs.
Apart from rehabilitating offenders during their time in prison, he added that there are two other important periods of intervention: before the crime is committed, and after the inmate is released.
He noted that there are predictive tools that can indicate those who are likely to offend so that help can be given before they turn to crime.
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In addition, when inmates are released from prison, support from the Government, partner agencies and organisations as well as the community can reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Highlighting the work of partners in the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders (Care) Network and the SPS, the minister said religious groups have played an important role in reintegrating ex-offenders.
For example, if an inmate receiving religious counselling from the Christian voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS) is going to be released, the group will match him to a suitable church community. If required, the group will also have people ready to meet the inmate in person at the prison gate when he is released.
Mr Shanmugam also cited the Fitrah office which was set up by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), which provides support for inmates and their families through religious and family-based programmes, financial assistance and befriending services.
Such inmates will receive a package containing an information kit, grocery vouchers and an ez-link card before they are released.
"For an offender leaving prison, these things can make a huge difference," said Mr Shanmugam.
Currently, SPS works with 12 religious VWOs, with about 1,200 volunteers from the major faiths.
Executive director of PFS, Mr Andrew Tay, said the group's objective is to form a new community for each ex-offender to support them along their journey of reintegration.
"This is a journey for them and not an easy one," said Mr Tay.
"What we believe in is to build a village around each ex-offender. You can tell them or coerce them to change, and they might, but it will be to a limited effect. You need something from within themselves to want to change, and so that sense of community is very important."
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All the falsehood about Singapore very safe and strict law etc myth cannot bluff people any more. Mata are useless. Changi Hilton is 6 star! Who is afraid of PAP's Laws? Only those who have not tried! Once you tried, you will get addicted for long term!
https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...to-prison-within-5-years-of-release-shanmugam
Almost half of ex-offenders return to prison within 5 years of release: Shanmugam
Published
10 hours ago
Facebook Twitter Email
Charmaine Ng
SINGAPORE - Over 40 per cent of offenders released in 2013 returned to prison within five years, it was revealed on Friday (June 28), with Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam calling the figure a "cause for concern".
While noting that Singapore's overall recidivism rate is better than many other countries, the minister, speaking at a seminar on aftercare efforts for ex-offenders, said there is room for improvement.
According to additional statistics released to The Straits Times by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the five-year recidivism rate saw a slight dip for inmates who were released in 2013, compared to the previous two cohorts.
Forty-one per cent of inmates released in 2013 reoffended within five years, down from 43 per cent for inmates released in 2011 and 2012.
Mr Shanmugam said inmates who are released often find themselves without the social support needed to reintegrate into society, and may also face family troubles as well as difficulty in finding jobs.
Apart from rehabilitating offenders during their time in prison, he added that there are two other important periods of intervention: before the crime is committed, and after the inmate is released.
He noted that there are predictive tools that can indicate those who are likely to offend so that help can be given before they turn to crime.
Related Story
IT programme helps ex-offenders gain employment after serving time
Related Story
Ex-offenders to get more help to reintegrate in society
Related Story
Job trial, family programmes introduced to help ex-offenders reintegrate into society
Related Story
$1.8 million raised to help fund programmes for ex-offenders, including bursaries
In addition, when inmates are released from prison, support from the Government, partner agencies and organisations as well as the community can reduce the likelihood of recidivism.
Highlighting the work of partners in the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders (Care) Network and the SPS, the minister said religious groups have played an important role in reintegrating ex-offenders.
For example, if an inmate receiving religious counselling from the Christian voluntary welfare organisation (VWO) Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS) is going to be released, the group will match him to a suitable church community. If required, the group will also have people ready to meet the inmate in person at the prison gate when he is released.
Mr Shanmugam also cited the Fitrah office which was set up by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), which provides support for inmates and their families through religious and family-based programmes, financial assistance and befriending services.
Such inmates will receive a package containing an information kit, grocery vouchers and an ez-link card before they are released.
"For an offender leaving prison, these things can make a huge difference," said Mr Shanmugam.
Currently, SPS works with 12 religious VWOs, with about 1,200 volunteers from the major faiths.
Executive director of PFS, Mr Andrew Tay, said the group's objective is to form a new community for each ex-offender to support them along their journey of reintegration.
"This is a journey for them and not an easy one," said Mr Tay.
"What we believe in is to build a village around each ex-offender. You can tell them or coerce them to change, and they might, but it will be to a limited effect. You need something from within themselves to want to change, and so that sense of community is very important."
New promotion with The Straits Times
Subscribe and buy a Google Nest Hub at $119 (usual price $189)
Subscribe now
