I refer to the articles “More ex-inmates reoffend within 2 years of release” (Straits Times, Feb 12) and “Jailbirds that stray again face extra time” (My Paper, Feb 12).
Recidivism rate increased from 23.6 to 27.4%?
The former states that “Statistics released by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) on Tuesday showed that 27.4 per cent of inmates released in 2011 committed another offence within two years of their release, up from 23.6 per cent for the 2010 cohort. This means about one in four inmates fall back to their old ways – a level that has remained stable over the years, said the SPS.
Drug inmates increased from 27.5 to 31.1%?
Among the 2011 cohort of inmates in drug rehabilitation centres, the recidivism rate was higher as well at 31.1 per cent, from 27.5 per cent for the 2010 cohort.”
Do you not find it rather alarming that the recidivism rate has increased by 3.8 per cent for ex-offenders?
In my volunteer work doing financial counseling over the last decade or so, I have come across many ex-offenders.
Getting a decent paying job?
One of the most common issues for them is the difficulty in getting a decent paying job, or even getting a job in the first place.
Public sector should set the example?
How many ex-offenders are employed by Government agencies? Without the disclosure of such statistics, how can we know whether the public sector is setting the example for the private sector to follow.
Only 2+ % of employers registered?
In this connection, according to the Singapore Prison Service‘s annual statistics release 2014 report – the number of employers registered with SCORE, who have agreed to hire ex-offenders, increased from 3,457 to 3,876, from 2012 to 2013.
However, there are more than 150,000 companies (employers?) in Singapore.
Better educated ex-offenders?
As to “They are also generally better-educated, with the number of those with tertiary education and above creeping higher” – it may be indicative that whilst the number of inmates who attended courses has increased to 5,896, a 16 per cent increase – it is still relatively low compared to the 24,404 training places available.
Mismatch between training places and jobs?
Does this mean that most of the ex-offenders may not be taking up most of the training places, because the expected pay is too low?
What % get jobs?
As to the number of inmates who secured jobs prior to their release – 2,114 in 2013 – what is this number as a percentage of inmates released in 2013 – less than 20 per cent?
What is the unemployment rate for ex-offenders?
What is the breakdown of the type of jobs and pay of ex-offenders?
Prejudice against ex-offenders?
From my experience, a lot of employers do not employ ex-offenders. I have come across some ex-offenders who have to lie that they are not ex-offenders in order to secure a job. These ex-offenders live in fear all their lives, that someday their “ex-offender” status may be discovered. But what choice as some of them say do they have – when the prejudice against them is still so ingrained and widespread.
Also, more sectors seem to generally do not employ ex-offenders at all – such as the security, finance, accounting, legal, professional services sectors, etc.
Approaching ex-offenders’ families to help them?
Although “There was a 138 per cent increase in the number of trained YR-CP volunteers and a 594 per cent increase in the number of families approached in 2013 as compared to 2011″, from 226 to 1,569 families – this may still be like “a drop in the ocean” as a percentage of all ex-offenders.
How many ex-offenders?
How may ex-offenders are released in a year?
How many people go to jail in a year?
How many ex-offenders are there in total – about 200,000?
Its hard for Singaporeans – harder for ex-offenders?
Finally, with our liberal foreign worker policies contributing to the depression of wages, unemployment and under-employment of Singaporeans – I estimate about 600,000, 400,000 and 200,000 people earning less than $1,500, $1,200 and $1,000, respectively – ex-offenders may be even more challenged to get decent paying jobs.
Leong Sze Hian
