Proportion of prison inmates' families who accept support under Yellow Ribbon or related schemes

Question:

Mr Victor Lye: To ask the Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs (a) what proportion of inmates' families accept support under the Yellow Ribbon or related schemes; and (b) what are the main reasons for non-participation.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Senior Minister, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs:

1. The Yellow Ribbon Community Project (YRCP) is a programme offered to all newly admitted inmates. If inmates join this programme, trained volunteers will reach out to their families and link them to community resources where necessary. Inmates can join the YRCP at any point of their incarceration.

2. 49% of newly admitted inmates in 2025 joined the YRCP.

3. For inmates who decline to join the YRCP, they commonly cited that their families were doing well and did not require assistance or that their families were already receiving some form of community assistance.