We refer to the article “Better job prospects for ex-offenders” (Straits Times, Jul 14).
Ex-offenders’s job prospects improving?
It states that “Former prison inmates are commanding higher pay and staying longer in their jobs now, according to data released to The Straits Times by the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (Score), which trains and matches ex-convicts to employers.
Last year, 34 per cent of the 2,123 ex-offenders it placed earned about $1,300. In 2011, only 8 per cent took home that amount. Some 16 per cent drew a salary above $1,500, compared with 5 per cent in 2011.
Not only has their starting pay risen, more are able to hold on to their jobs. Last year, about 60 per cent of the former convicts retained their jobs for at least half a year, compared to 37 per cent who manage to do so in 2007.”
Annual report seems to suggest otherwise?
3 months job retention fell?
– According to Score’s 2013 Annual Report – the 3 months job retention fell from 83% in 2012 to 81% in 2013.
Why has this statistic deteriorated in a supposedly tight labour market?
99% secured jobs?
It says that the percentage of inmates securing jobs before release was 99% and the number of inmates assisted with employment before release was 2,123.
Since “the prisons release about 9,000 inmates a year” – we are somewhat puzzled as to how 2,123 inmates assisted with employment before release can be 99% of inmates securing jobs before release?
Has pay risen with inflation?
Since inflation from 2011 to 2013 was about 7%, the $1,300 pay is 2013 is equivalent to about $1,215 in 2011. Also, does it mean that 66% earned less than $1,300?
Statistics don’t mention those who couldn’t get a job?
Since the statistics cited are for inmates placed into jobs – what about the number of ex-offenders who couldn’t get a job? Is it about 76% (9,000 ex-offenders released in a year less the 2,123 placed in jobs)?
Ratio of trained to training places only 26%?
The number of inmates trained was 5,896 against 22,504 “number of training places”. Why is this ratio of inmates trained to training places only 26%?
Engaged in work programme dropped?
The number of inmates engaged in work programme daily dropped from 3,119 in 2012 to 3,109 in 2013.
The percentage of inmates engaged out of those employable dropped from 82% in 2012 to 77% in 2013.
No. of community partners dropped?
The number of community partners fell from 257 in 2012 to 235 in 2013.
No. of programmes funded dropped?
The number of programmes funded by the Yellow Ribbon Fund fell from 14 in 2011 to 13 in 2013.
Yellow Ribbon Fund disbursed only 51%?
The Yellow Ribbon Fund raised 2.23 million, but only disbursed 1.14 million in 2013 – i.e. only 51% was disbursed, compared to 86% in 2012 ($1 million raised and 0.86 million disbursed).
$29.3m accumulated surplus?
The accumulated surplus is $29.3 million.
How many employed by Govt?
Perhaps the most significant statistic that people have been asking for years is still not disclosed – how many inmates are employed by the Government and Government agencies?
The public sector should set the example and take the lead to encourage the private sector to follow in helping ex-offenders.
Highest recidivism rate in at least 8 years?
Finally, if things are really looking up for ex-offenders – why is it that “According to statistics released by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the overall two-year recidivism rate of 27.4 per cent for inmates released in 2011 was the highest in at least eight years (“Rate of recidivism on the rise“, Today, Feb 12, 2014)?
S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian
