In the last post, I linked an article by The Straits Times about Singapore’s new Changi Prison complex, and that was it. Some have asked why I have not written my thoughts/comments about the article. This post hopes to address that.
The article had Teh Joo Lin describing the merits/differences of the new complex, Singapore’s prison regime, and the current discourse on the relation between prison conditions and recidivism rates- essentially facts that I don’t have any quarrel with.
The reasons why I thought the article was interesting and worth posting are as follows:
1) The very fact that an article was published is encouraging to me. To have a report published in the newspaper is indicative of at least some interest in engaging the public in what happens/the regime in Changi Prison;
2) I think it’ll be interesting to read my experience in Eugene, OR in the U.S. against current realities in Singapore;
3) What most struck me in the article were the quotes from Prisons director Mr. Ng Joo Hee, particularly these two quotes:
‘It’s a fundamental philosophy we hold on to. We operate a strict regime because these people have done harm and they have to pay for the harm they have done.’
and
‘You cannot let them run around and do whatever they want. They’ll learn more bad things in prison. Naughty prisoners infect one another.’
With reference to both quotes, if my experience in Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) was anything to go by, I realise what Mr. Ng is saying. When we took a 2.5 hour tour around OSP, we saw the realities of the prison- how most inmates were not like our classmates who were polite and had made the personal choice to reform. Inmates we encountered on the tour were leering, abrasive, and hard to control (a fight broke out in the field just 5 minutes after we were there). In this sense, yes- ‘naughty prisoners infect one another’.
I do, however, question the use of the words ‘infect’ and ‘pay’. With reference to the former, ‘infect’ conveys the idea of contagion, which makes me uncomfortable. Let’s attribute this one to personal taste- referring to wayward behaviour as bacteria seems a little demeaning to me.
With reference to the need for ‘these people [to] pay for the harm they have done’- it is precisely this mindset which I challenge myself (and you, my readers) to question.
What is the essence/purpose of prison systems? Retribution, or rehabilitation? I am not disputing the fact that prisoners ‘have done harm’ to society- I merely question whether saying they have to ‘pay’ for it is warranted/effective/humane.
It is here that I must pause and reiterate- my thoughts/opinions on all things prison-related have not been fully formed yet. The reason for setting up this blog was so I could engage with such issues. Happy journeying along with me as I figure out what on earth I think about prison systems, and share the experience with you.
Speaking of what is humane- I hope to talk about a section of our tour (the death chamber) in a future post, where I was irked beyond words.
As usual, comments/questions, whether by the comment feature below, e-mail, chat, or in person, are greatly welcome!
Stumbled upon this blog while searching for journals for human rights and i thought i’d comment a little on it.
I didn’t have a chance to read both the article, as well as the reply, but from what you posted, I’d say that the reply was completely unprofessional and undiplomatic. Who on earth terms misbehaving prisoners as “naughty” and describes prisoners as “running around”?
I’ve always thought that the “fundamental philosophy” that the singapore prison system had was to rehabilitate the prisoners through prison time rather than to merely punish them.
Comment by alvyn — 29 October 2008 @ 9:56 am
Hey Alvyn,
Thanks for dropping by and for contributing yr thoughts. I am with you on the unprofessionalism and lack of diplomacy bit.
Also, sorry for taking this long to reply! Do drop by again soon, and I hope your research was fruitful :]
Comment by kellyqwtay — 26 November 2008 @ 6:48 pm