Oral Reply to Parliamentary Question on the Use of Tagging Technology to Alert Victims in Close Range to High-risk or Violent Ex-Offenders

Question:

Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs whether technology such as tagging or otherwise can be adopted to alert victims of high-risk or violent ex-offenders when such offenders come within a stipulated radius or are in close proximity to them.

Answer:

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

1.   Ex-offenders who have completed their sentence are not subjected to electronic monitoring. It is not appropriate to do so when they have not committed any further crime.

2.   Instead, to reduce their risk of committing violent acts again after release, we try to address the underlying issues. While incarcerated, offenders who are at risk of violent re-offending are enrolled in psychology-based correctional programmes. They learn to address negative thinking patterns that lead them to violence, better regulate their emotions, and resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. The Singapore Prison Service also works with the families and community partners to support ex-offenders after their release, to better prevent re-offending.

3.   Members of the public who are in any danger of harm are advised to call ‘999’ for assistance. The National Anti-Violence Helpline, ‘1800 777 0000’, which is manned by trained social workers, is also available 24/7 for members of the public to seek help or report on violence.