Singapore Prison Service

Upon completion of their minimum period of DRC detention, inmates who have been assessed as being responsive to their rehabilitation and have shown a desire to change will be selected for one of the following Community Based Rehabilitation Programmes:

Residential Scheme
Under the Residential Scheme, DRC inmates are tagged with an electronic monitoring device and shall stay at their own residence for a period of 6 to 12 months. The inmates are also required to work during the day and return to their residence in the evening to comply with the curfew hours. Heroin abusers may also be required to undergo Naltrexone programme while on the scheme.
Halfway House Scheme
The Halfway House Scheme benefits those DRC inmates who are genuinely desirous to change for the better but lack the family support or whose family environment is not conducive for their recovery from drug addiction. Under the HWH Scheme, DRC inmates reside at their selected HWH for a period of 6 to 12 months, during which they will undergo a structured rehabilitation programme developed by the HWH. For those inmates who are recommended for work placement during their HWH stay, they are required to return to HWH to observe the curfew hours. Heroin abusers may also be required to undergo Naltrexone programme to help them lessen the psychological dependence on heroin while on the scheme.
Halfway House Scheme for Long Term Imprisonment
In 2001, Halfway House (HWH) Scheme for Long-Term Imprisonment inmates was implemented to assist this group of inmates in their gradual reintegration with life after incarceration.

Prior to emplacement in a HWH, the selected inmate will first undergo a Substance Abuse Programme (SAP). This programme emphasizes on the development of objectives and rational thinking to self-regulate behaviour to be pro-social. This includes the development of appropriate reading of social cues and emotional states of others and self.

Upon completion of SAP, the inmate will then be emplaced in a HWH. He will undergo the programme offered by the HWH.

To help reintegrate inmates back to society, the Home Detention (HD) Scheme was implemented in May 2000. This Scheme serves as an avenue for the early release of prisoners who are most amenable to rehabilitation. This Scheme also facilitates the involvement of family and community in the rehabilitation of inmates and at the same time enables them to function as useful members of society. Owing to the success of HD, the scheme has been expanded to include a wider group of inmates in October 2004.

Currently, an inmate has to be sentenced to 4 weeks imprisonment and above to be eligible for the scheme and the maximum placement period on the scheme is 12 months. In addition, an inmate’s suitability to be placed on the scheme also includes his progress and response to rehabilitation and also the level of family support that he has.

All inmates will be screened for eligibility for the Home Detention Scheme upon admission. Thereafter, he will be assessed for suitability for placement on the Home Detention scheme. Under the HD Scheme, inmates will be able to commute to work or pursue their studies throughout the period of emplacement. Inmates emplaced on this Scheme shall abide by the curfew hours stipulated in the HD Order. They shall be closely monitored through electronic tagging and/or random reporting at the work release camp.

The Work Release Scheme (WRS) allows an inmate to serve the last months of his sentence in a work release camp or halfway house under supervised conditions.

WRS is a suitable programme especially for inmates who lack family support. Under this programme, inmates are closely guided by staff at the Work Release Camp or the Halfway-House.

WRS is aimed at providing a gradual transition from incarceration to complete freedom for inmates while engaging them in work. At the same time, such a scheme will help to enhance an inmate’s self esteem as he is given a chance to contribute to society by being productive. This scheme also assists in inculcating positive work habits and developing a sense of responsibility to support his family.