Under the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the Singapore government has apparently succeeded in administering and operating correctional institutions with a recidivism rate of 22% as of 2021, still among the lowest globally, although it increased by 1.6% from the previous year.
SPS, a government agency that works under the Ministry of Home Affairs, continues to improve the safety of detention and provide rehabilitation, education, and prevention in an attempt to give legal protection against violations without eliminating their rights.
To run all of these purposes, SPS is currently operating more than 10 correctional facilities, which are spread throughout the country. Okay, here’s everything you can know about prisons in Singapore!
What is Prison Like in Singapore?
Singapore basically has a concentrated prison system in one mega complex, called the Changi Prison Complex, which holds at least 23,000 inmates. This prison uses sophisticated technology with high-rise facilities, yet it is a cramped facility where prisoners rarely see sunlight.
The condition of the prison violated many international standards, where inmates slept on the floor without mattresses and spent 23 hours a day in their cells, limited to media, work, or recreational activities. When a prisoner commits an offense, they will be sentenced to caning, a punishment considered light for serious offenses.
But in the 2000s, SPS started to change its public image by hiring Burson-Marsteller, someone known for his work with dictatorial regimes and companies such as Monsanto and Exxon.
Since then, SPS has changed into a correctional institution that is more humane in punishing offenders, followed by the establishment of The Care Network, i.e., a consortium of institutions that aims to help former prisoners re-enter the world of work after being released. In 2015, about 16% of the prison population found a job before being released, the government data reported.
Read also: What is Shamrock Tattoo Meaning in Jail?
What is the Changi Prison Complex (CPC)?
The government of Singapore has gradually built several prisons, which are currently centralized into one complex at Changi Prison, which is located at 982 Upper Changi Rd. N., Singapura 507709. With a capacity of 11.000 people, Changi Prison was opened in 1938 and serves as the maximum security class under SPS.
Historically, the Changi Prison, which was built by the British colonial government, aimed to replace the old prison, which was located on Pearl’s Hill and could house a large number of inmates. It was designed to house up to 600 inmates.
Changi Prison became famous during World War II and after the fall of Singapore for housing Allied prisoners of war captured by the Japanese. Many prisoners of war died of disease and malnutrition, and quite a few also died due to mistreatment and were subjected to brutal treatment and forced labor.
After the war, the British began to use Changi Prison to house prisoners of various categories, including political prisoners. After independence, Changi Prison began to play an important role as a correctional institution. Quite a few prisoners are employed in various industries, such as agriculture and construction.
An extensive renovations were done at Changi Prison between 1970 and 1980, to improve its facilities and security.
Currently, Changi Prison houses criminals with serious offenses for which they are serving long-term sentences (including life imprisonment) and the death penalty. And it also houses death row inmates before they are executed by hanging, and this punishment is usually carried out at dawn on Fridays.
Standing on 48 hectares of land, the construction of this complex has cost around S$1.07 billion. In each stage of development, this forms a cluster of prison institutions in one complex, including Clusters A, B, and C.
As time goes by, Changi Prison is known for its strictness and discipline. Plus, it focuses on providing inmates with rehabilitation programs such as education and vocational training that can help them reintegrate into society after release.
Prisons in Singapore: Here’s the List!
Prisons in Singapore formed a few SPS line units and were grouped into five commandos. Today, there are at least 15 prisons spread across this country, including a drug rehabilitation center (DRC).
Here’s for each explanation!
Cluster A
Cluster A was officially launched on August 16, 2004. This unit is the main part of the Changi Prison Complex. It initially contained four prisons, but on October 15, 2017, Changi Women’s Prison was moved into cluster A, so this cluster currently has five prisons that house inmates from the following prisons:
-
- Changi Prison
- Moon Crescent Prison
- Jalan Awan Prison
- The Changi Reformative Training Center
- Changi Women’s Prison
Cluster B
Cluster B is situated in the same complex as Cluster A, i.e., at Changi Prison Complex. This unit was officially launched on January 20, 2010. The largest prisoner transfer in Singapore’s history was in Cluster B between July and August 2009, where prisoners were moved in five separate operations in one day.
Then, Cluster B finally becomes the start and end of most inmate’s journeys within the CPC. Construction on the complex was carried out by Sembawang Engineers and Constructors (SEC) with a contract worth $118.5 million. To generate clean energy to supply the complex, it uses a proton exchange membrane fuel cell power plant integrated with hydrogen.
It also consists of five prisons, which house around 5,600 inmates from the following prisons:
-
- Tanah Merah Prison
- Queenstown Remand Prison
- Sembawang DRC
- Khalsa Crescent Prison
- Selarang Park, DRC
Cluster C
Aside from clusters A and B, SPS also established cluster C and has two correctional institutions, which are situated in the neighboring Tanah Merah Center (TMC). They are:
-
- Tanah Merah Prison School
- Admiralty West Prison
Community Corrections Command (COMC)
This organization definitely supervises three correctional institutions and a rehabilitation center, including:
-
- Lloyd Leas Community Supervision Center (LLCSC)
- Community Rehabilitation Center (CRC)
- Selarang Halfway House (SHWH)
Well, those are the main correctional facilities and rehabilitation centers that were built in Singapore.
Where Can You Visit Prison in Singapore?
SPS also has the Operations and Security Command (OSC) and this unit manages CPC Security and the Prison Link Centers (PLCs), a center that you can visit in Singapore prisons. Here are the addresses for each:
|
Prison Link Center Name |
Location |
|
| 1. | Prison Link Center Changi (PLCC) | 990 Upper Changi Road North
Singapore 506968 |
| 2. | Prison Link Centre Tanah Merah (PLCTM) | 10 Tanah Merah Besar Road
Singapore 498834 |
| 3. | Prison Link Centre Jurong (PLCJ) | Block 134 Jurong Gateway
#04-309A Singapore 600134 |
| 4. | Prison Link Centre Selarang Park (PLCSP) | 1819 Upper Changi Road North
Singapore 506793 |
| 5. | Prison Link Centre Geylang Bahru (PLCGB) | Block 70 Geylang Bahru
#02-2719 Singapore 330070 |
In addition to prison link centers, you can also book a visit at a satellite center once you complete a visit at one of the prison link centers for document verification.
Here’s the list of satellite center addresses!
| Satellite Center Unit | Location | Visit Time |
| Industrial & Services Co-Operative Society Ltd (ISCOS) | 237 Alexandra Road
#04-19 Singapore 159929
|
Mondays to Fridays (Except for Tuesdays)
9:00am to 4:30pm |
| Lakeside Family Centre | 21 Yung Ho Road
#03-01 The Agape Singapore 618593
|
Mondays to Fridays (Except for Tuesdays)
9:00am to 4:30pm |
| Kampong Ubi Community Centre | 10 Jalan Ubi
Singapore 409075
|
Saturdays
9:00am to 3:00pm |
| Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) | 2 Sengkang Square
#05-01 Sengkang Community Hub Singapore 545025
|
Mondays to Fridays (Except for Tuesdays)
9:00am to 4:30pm |
Learn More About Programs in Singapore Prisons
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) definitely establishes a rehabilitation and reintegration approach to highly change and renew the lives of offenders for the better. To support them, SPS offers a few programs that run in all of the prisons across Singapore.
And the following are eight programs run in Singapore prisons:
1. Psychology-Based Correctional Programmes (PCPs)
PCPs are psychology-based programs that provide second chances for prisoners to increase their ability to manage their emotions. It also motivates them to work on their negative thinking patterns that can lead to their offending, either from drugs or crime.
2. Work Programmes
A partnership between SPS and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) has given prisoners the opportunity to be involved in several jobs, such as bakeries, prison kitchens, laundry facilities, multimedia workshops, logistic workshops, and call centers.
Plus, prisoners are given pocket money as wages, which they can use to buy personal items and snacks. Basically, this program aims to instill good work ethics and discipline in prisoners so that they can get used to it.
3. Education Programmes
Actually, the education program has been provided in some Singapore prisons since the 1960s. However, it is one of the essential aspects that prisoners must get ready for when reintegrating into society.
Currently, prisons run plenty of academic classes at a variety of levels, including GCE NA, General Education pegged at Secondary 1 Normal Academic (NA), Ordinary (O), Normal Technical (NT), etc.
SPS has also collaborated with Ngee Ann Polytechnic in 2018 to offer prisoners the Diploma in Business Practice (International Supply Chain Management) course.
4. Vocational Skill Training
In addition to academic programs, Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG), which has partnered with SPS, also encourages prisoners to increase their skills and career development through a care training approach. It ranges in various sectors, including logistics, precision engineering, food service, and media.
5. Personal Development Activities
SPS continuously keeps inmates meaningfully engaged through Personal Development Activities aimed at cultivating their interests in areas such as performing arts and arts and crafts.
6. Family Programmes
To implement structured family programs in prisons, SPS engages agencies that specialize in family services. Sure, these programs are expected to help increase inmates’ self-confidence and build stronger relationships with their family members after being released.
7. Gang Renunciation
SPS continues to encourage inmates to stop being involved in their gangs through the Gang Disengagement Program, including the Tattoo Removal Program, which represents their gang identity.
These efforts included a public renunciation of their gang membership at a Gang Renunciation Ceremony which was also attended by their family members. Additionally, this program also helps them reduce the negative stigma associated with their gang affiliation.
8. Release Preparation Programmes
In helping prisoners easily reintegrate into society, SPS actually equips them with problem-solving skills and self-motivation to handle the tougher challenges they will face upon release.
