Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on Number of Inmates Enrolled in the Employment Preparation Scheme

Question:

Assoc Prof Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs (a) to date, how many inmates have been enrolled in the Employment Preparation Scheme; and (b) of which, what is the number of such inmates who were granted (i) weekend home leave and (ii) long home leave and (iii) secured permanent employment upon release from detention.

Answer:

Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development:

1. 339 inmates have been emplaced on the Employment Preparation Scheme since it was introduced in September 2022.

2. Inmates emplaced on scheme are required to serve the tail-end of their sentence in a work release centre administered by Singapore Prison Service. Those who are doing well and have support from their family, may be allowed to go on weekend home leave or long home leave. As at 31 January 2024, 71 of the 339 inmates had gone or are currently allowed to go on weekend home leave. Another 35 had gone through or are currently on long home leave.

3. 204 of the 339 inmates have been released. Amongst them, 196 had secured employment at the point of release.