Support for Post-Release Inmates to Enhance Familial Ties

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what programmes and support does the Ministry or other social service agencies provide to help prison inmates improve familial ties with their young children once released back to society; and (b) if no programmes currently exist, whether the Ministry will consider developing one.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) work closely to support inmates and their families during their incarceration as strong family support is key to promoting long-term desistance.

For example, SPS has Family Resource Centres (FRCs) that are located at Prison Link Centre (Changi), where families have visits with their loved ones. The FRC was set up by SPS in 2006 to provide interim social assistance to inmates and their families. Trained social workers from FRC help to assess the inmates' and their families' needs and refer them to Family Service Centres (FSCs), Social Service Agencies (SSAs) or other community resources for longer-term support, as needed. The social workers are mindful to take a family-centric approach when supporting inmates and their families, including the importance of addressing family relationship issues at hand.

There are also structured family programmes delivered in prison by SSAs, such as The Salvation Army and New Life Stories. These programmes help to increase inmates' knowledge, skills and confidence in maintaining ties and building stronger relationships with their family members. During the programmes, parent-children joint activities and open visits are facilitated by the SSA workers.

Counselling support is also provided by the Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centres, both during and post incarceration. Such counselling can help offenders and their families navigate marital and parent-child relationship issues. After their release, ex-offenders can also continue to strengthen their parenting skills by attending the Families for Life parenting programmes that are offered by community agencies to all Singaporeans.