“The Singapore Prisons Department has taken an innovative approach to preparing staff to be ready to operate the all-new complex … It is rare indeed for a country, state or even one city to be able to plan and implement such a comprehensive project in a few years rather than taking decades for incremental evolution.”

Mr Robert Goble, Principal Consultant, Carter Goble Associate, Inc, 2003.
[Excerpts from International Justice Review, 2003]

“As Captains of Lives, Prisons Department officers play an important role in helping to integrate inmates into society upon their release. I commend the officers for discharging this noble duty.”

Mr Wong Kan Seng, Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore, 26/02/04.
[Excerpts from Changi Prison Complex (CPC) Cluster A guestbook]

“In the reform of the Chinese Prison System, China has learnt much from Singapore particularly in the area of counselling…”

Mr Fan Fang Ping, Vice-Minister of Justice, China, 27/10/04.
[Excerpts from the China Zaobao newspaper]

“…my interest is in the safe movement of prisoners back into the community and structures and steps towards reintegration…We are going to run an international Conference on Parole in Rotorua in New Zealand…and I am hoping that we will be able to invite a number of Singaporeans to display to a wider audience the excellent work which is being done there…”

Mr David Carruthers, Chairman of New Zealand Parole Board, 11/04/06.
[Excerpts from his email]

“By the time Van died everyone involved in the case knew the prison workers had only been kindly to him and he loved them, to use his words. Prison officials were always courteous, professional and considerate to the lawyers and family."

Lawyer Julian McMahon, for hanged drug trafficker Van Tuong Nguyen, 3/12/05
[Excerpts from The Australian newspaper]

“I consider this rehab center (CPC Cluster A) as one of the best in the world.”

Dr Mintarsih A. Latief, Vice-President, BERSAMA (Non-Government Organisation for Prevention of Drug & Substance Abuse), Indonesia, 24/11/05.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“This facility (CPC Cluster A) is a reference worldwide, also considering its management. It is a good balance between deterrence and reformation.”

Mr Nuno Maria Rogue Jorge, Vice-President, International Federation of Non-Government Organisation (IFNGO), Macau, 24/11/05.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“…The image you project of rehabilitation is fantastic. I can see you working as a professional team committed to your vision.”

Ms Marie-Ange Houareau, Principal Secretary, Department of Internal Affairs, Seychelles, 27/10/05.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“Innovative and impressive programmes.”

Dr Dennis Wong, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Studies, City University of Hong Kong, China, 9/05/05.
[Excerpts from Kaki Bukit Centre (KBC) guestbook]

“One of the 10 coolest ideas of 2001 - Virtual Prison Visits.” The Straits Times picked SPS Internet Home Tele-visit as one of the 10 most inspired made-in-Singapore ideas and initiatives that made a difference in 2001.

[Excerpts from The Straits Times Newspaper, 1/1/02]

“It is one of the most interesting prisons (CPC Cluster A) and most impressive one in introducing new technologies.”

Mr Nathee Chitsawang, Director General, Department of Corrections, Thailand, 7/10/04.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“A big step towards modern prisons development. Systematic and effective.”

Rehabilitation Unit of Hong Kong Correctional Services, China, 1/7/04.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“The Singapore Prisons Department is a wonderful experience for the world. We have learnt much from this visit.”

Dr Ben Nwaochei, Director-In-Residence, Prison Fellowship International, Institute for Leadership Formation and Ministry Development, Singapore, 5/10/05.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

"It was a very enlightening and informative visit. We are impressed by the state-of-art facilities and the well-planned layout.”

Mr Charles Joseph Peter, Assistant Director, Consular Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, 8/11/04.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“I have been here for only one hour and am convinced that a detainee is given the opportunity to rehabilitate himself. “

Ms Marie Jean-Michel Gérard Lesage, Chairman, National Agency for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse (NATRESA), Mauritius, 24/11/05.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“…I am very impressed with the discipline and attitude of inmates and the efficiency of the staff”

Mr Shirley Tissera, President IFNGO, Sri Lanka, 24/11/05.

“Programme is well managed and monitored. Staff are committed to the programme and are very enthusiastic and effective. This place makes it possible for prisoners to see light at the end of the tunnel and makes them feel that they can change and lead a better life.”

Mr S Puhaindran, Md Yusof Lana, Visiting Justice, Singapore, 23/1/03.
[Excerpts from CPC Cluster A guestbook]

“…Under the leadership and guidance of the Director of Prisons, Mr Chua Chin Kiat, major improvements were made to the policies, qualities of uniformed staff and welfare of inmates. Changes to inmates’ medical benefits, work program, rehabilitation program, security have all been done…The purpose of these significant changes in the prison is to make one (inmate) realize that if there is hope, one must cherish the opportunities given, to make use of time in Prisons constructively and change for the better...With a new system in place, Changi Prison has a brand new image, creating a new beginning and giving inmates and their families a new lease of hope. Hopefully, under the leadership of the Director of Prisons, Mr Chua Chin Kiat, more ex-convicts can serve our country, society and their families diligently.”

Author Liang Yi Wei, ex-inmate.
[Excerpts from the Chinese book titled Zi Kun. Zi Sha. Zi You]

“…I want to thank you, in all sincerity and gratitude, for keeping my sanity in place for it could have been so easily threatened and undermined in a place such as the prisons. Most of all, through your goodness and righteousness, I was able to salvage self-respect, self-esteem and dignity...The act of disciplining is an art and only a few have managed to achieve mastery over it. With all sincerity, I saw in you what it takes to be perhaps, a ‘Captain of Lives’ – a near perfect combination of strictness, just, integrity and uprightness without compromising the discipline and decorum characteristic of a ‘total’ institution…By God’s grace, the record of imprisonment has not radically changed my material position and I still have my job as a Professor …In fact, the research division at Prison HQ has sought my assistance to establish and widen their research scope... I am now in U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Professor…May I once again take this opportunity to thank you…”