Expanding Coverage of Yellow Ribbon Project to Include Ex-offenders of Non-violent Crimes

Debated in Parliament on 2 Feb 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed expanding the Yellow Ribbon Project to allow non-violent ex-offenders to have their criminal records expunged after a period of good behavior, so they would not need to disclose their history for employment.
Minister K Shanmugam sought clarification on the definition of "non-violent crime," noting that offenses like sexual grooming and theft are serious and that expunging such records could affect safety in sensitive roles.
The Minister emphasized that the Government already has a framework for rehabilitating offenders and finding them employment, and that it is open to considering detailed suggestions.
The debate centered on balancing reintegration support for ex-offenders with public safety and transparency in employment.
The discussion highlighted the need for clear criteria when considering changes to criminal record policies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether the Government will consider expanding the coverage of the Yellow Ribbon Project such that ex-offenders for non-violent crimes will, contingent on an extended period of good behaviour following successful reintegration in society, be eligible for the elimination of their criminal history from public records and hence not report this record for employment purposes.

K Shanmugam

Can the Member clarify what he means by "non-violent crime"?

There are many offences which are serious but not violent in nature, such as sexual grooming, outrage of modesty, criminal breach of trust, and theft in dwelling. The Member may wish to note that his suggestion, prima facie, appears to be that records of such crimes should be expunged, which will in turn mean that ex-offenders could be employed in roles such as pre-school teachers or security officers, without their employers being aware of their history.

The Government operates a framework, to rehabilitate and find employment for most offenders, in a safe and transparent manner. And that framework is being constantly refined.

The Member can make a more detailed suggestion, if he wishes, and the Government will consider his suggestions.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed expanding the Yellow Ribbon Project to allow non-violent ex-offenders to have their criminal records expunged after a period of good behavior, so they would not need to disclose their history for employment.
Minister K Shanmugam sought clarification on the definition of "non-violent crime," noting that offenses like sexual grooming and theft are serious and that expunging such records could affect safety in sensitive roles.
The Minister emphasized that the Government already has a framework for rehabilitating offenders and finding them employment, and that it is open to considering detailed suggestions.
The debate centered on balancing reintegration support for ex-offenders with public safety and transparency in employment.
The discussion highlighted the need for clear criteria when considering changes to criminal record policies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Expanding Coverage of Yellow Ribbon Project to Include Ex-offenders of Non-violent Crimes | PAPERCUTS

Expanding Coverage of Yellow Ribbon Project to Include Ex-offenders of Non-violent Crimes

Debated in Parliament on 2 Feb 2021.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed expanding the Yellow Ribbon Project to allow non-violent ex-offenders to have their criminal records expunged after a period of good behavior, so they would not need to disclose their history for employment.
Minister K Shanmugam sought clarification on the definition of "non-violent crime," noting that offenses like sexual grooming and theft are serious and that expunging such records could affect safety in sensitive roles.
The Minister emphasized that the Government already has a framework for rehabilitating offenders and finding them employment, and that it is open to considering detailed suggestions.
The debate centered on balancing reintegration support for ex-offenders with public safety and transparency in employment.
The discussion highlighted the need for clear criteria when considering changes to criminal record policies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

K Shanmugam

Can the Member clarify what he means by "non-violent crime"?

The Government operates a framework, to rehabilitate and find employment for most offenders, in a safe and transparent manner. And that framework is being constantly refined.

The Member can make a more detailed suggestion, if he wishes, and the Government will consider his suggestions.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim proposed expanding the Yellow Ribbon Project to allow non-violent ex-offenders to have their criminal records expunged after a period of good behavior, so they would not need to disclose their history for employment.
Minister K Shanmugam sought clarification on the definition of "non-violent crime," noting that offenses like sexual grooming and theft are serious and that expunging such records could affect safety in sensitive roles.
The Minister emphasized that the Government already has a framework for rehabilitating offenders and finding them employment, and that it is open to considering detailed suggestions.
The debate centered on balancing reintegration support for ex-offenders with public safety and transparency in employment.
The discussion highlighted the need for clear criteria when considering changes to criminal record policies.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Expanding Coverage of Yellow Ribbon Project to Include Ex-offenders of Non-violent Crimes

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified

Expanding Coverage of Yellow Ribbon Project to Include Ex-offenders of Non-violent Crimes

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim

K Shanmugam

Summary

Questions Identified