New measures to strengthen aftercare agencies and upskill volunteers so they can be better equipped to help former offenders rehabilitate and reintegrate into society will be rolled out over the next few years.
The stepped-up support was announced yesterday by Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim at the Community Action for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (Care) Network's 20th anniversary event.
The network, which comprises more than 100 community partners, was set up in 2000 to coordinate aftercare rehabilitation and reintegration services.
Speaking at the event, Associate Professor Faishal said: "Looking ahead to the next 20 years, the vision of the Care Network remains the same: to provide hope, confidence and opportunities for ex-offenders, so that they are able to turn away from crime and find a new lease of life.
"The immediate years after an offender's release are crucial. The real test of an offender's transformation is not in prison, but in the community where he faces temptations and challenges, as well as difficulties."
One of the new measures will be the introduction of an Aftercare Competency Framework, which aims to professionalise the sector by identifying the core competencies required for aftercare professionals such as case workers and channelling them to the relevant training sources.
New introductory training modules will be developed for professionals who are new to the aftercare sector to bridge competency gaps, while volunteers with the network can look forward to training opportunities that will equip them with the skills to effectively support ex-offenders. The plans will be rolled out over the next few years.
Prof Faishal said: "It is important for you to understand the landscape as well as look at different models, so that you can better adapt your approach based on the context, because every person, every family is different. With such knowledge, you will be better equipped."
The network will also strengthen the rehabilitation and reintegration journey for former offenders by smoothing the process of handing and taking over of cases between agencies.
In his speech, Prof Faishal noted the significant drop in the two-year recidivism rate for offenders released in 2017 - from 40 per cent to 24 per cent - since the network was formed in 2000.
Prof Faishal said: "The next 20 years will be equally, if not more challenging, and will require fresh ideas and approaches, but anchored on the same dedicated spirit of the Care Network. I look forward to working with the Care Network towards reducing re-offending and reintegrating ex-offenders back into society."
