Turning jail into a place where inmates work for a new life

New prison initiative helps them plan early to transform themselves and practise new skills

Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Shie Yong Lee said that the new initiative would maximise the prisoners' use of time behind bars, by gearing them towards rehabilitation at an earlier stage. Prison officers have also been conducting a new weekly motiva
Deputy Commissioner of Prisons Shie Yong Lee said that the new initiative would maximise the prisoners' use of time behind bars, by gearing them towards rehabilitation at an earlier stage. Prison officers have also been conducting a new weekly motivational programme for inmates. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN
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From the moment offenders walk into the Changi Prison Complex to serve time behind bars, the process of rehabilitating them for a new life outside jail starts immediately.

This is what inmates have been going through since the start of this year, a break from the previous practice of starting the rehabilitation programmes only when they are due to be released.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 25, 2019, with the headline Turning jail into a place where inmates work for a new life. Subscribe