New 10-month programme for hardcore drug offenders unveiled

Hardcore drug offenders, who are at higher risk of re-offending are now put through a 10-month programme to improve their chances of staying out of jail.

It was unveiled for the first time on Tuesday by Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli.

These long-term inmates who have been jailed at least three times for drug offences, will go through a holistic regime at the pre-release centre in the Changi Prison Complex.

The officer in charge of the centre, Assistant Superintendent of Prison (2) Martin Chew said there are opportunities for inmates to interact with one another, and the physical environment is more colourful to help them to "normalise.

The pilot programme, which was launched last April, involves three phases - motivation, counselling and job training.

For instance, inmates are provided with help to re-establish, and later maintain family ties that may have been strained over the years.

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