MHA’s Response to Media Queries Related to Supplementary Questions on PQ11 on SPS’ Facilities and Procedures in Dealing With Inmates With Serious Health Conditions

1. Inmates under the custody of the Singapore Prison Service (“SPS”) receive primary medical care within the Prison Medical Complex. The Complex adheres to the same infection control standards as in Public Healthcare Institutions (PHIs). SPS also has procedures and dedicated facilities in the Medical Complex and assisted living cells, to manage inmates who are prone to infections and falls. Thus, most cases can be managed in Prisons, including cases where the inmate may be at risk if an infection sets in.

2. To manage inmates with more complex medical conditions, SPS also works closely with PHIs and National Specialty Centres (“NSCs”).

3. All inmates receive appropriate and adequate medical care through these arrangements.

4. However as was said in Parliament, there might be some inmates with very complex medical conditions, with a need for highly specialised treatment, and a very high risk of infection. These would be rare cases and will have to be assessed based on medical advice. Medical experts took the view that in the case of Mr Ong Beng Seng, who was 79 years old at the point of sentencing and was suffering from incurable cancer, the risk of infection was high in Prison conditions, and that he needed highly specialised cancer treatment, given his advanced stage of cancer, and multiple medical conditions.

5. Treating such conditions, while ensuring low level of infection is only possible if the Prisons medical facilities are fitted out like our PHIs and National Specialty Centres, with the same type of medical expertise. That is not a sensible option. We don’t seek to replicate the facilities in our PHIs and NSCs in our Prisons.

6. Ms Sylvia Lim asked if ill health may be seen as a licence to commit crimes and escape punishment. Ill health does not give licence to commit crimes. Persons will be charged and punished if they commit crimes.  Health conditions may however sometimes be relevant in considering the type of punishment the convict faces. This will have to be based on expert medical opinion and the Court will have to assess the medical opinion. In the case of Mr Ong Beng Seng, a Professor from the National University Cancer Institute, Singapore, gave his views and the Court accepted the views that if Mr Ong was sent to Prison, his life would be at risk. There have also been previous cases in recent years where judicial mercy was granted to offenders found to have serious medical conditions.

7. Once an inmate has been sentenced to imprisonment, he is regularly monitored and cared for by medical professionals. Those whose medical prognosis deteriorates significantly may be emplaced on the External Placement Scheme (“EPS”), where they can serve their imprisonment in facilities outside of prison. Since the provisions came into force in 2014, 43 inmates have been emplaced on EPS.