Mums Making Science and Tech Look Easy - The Innovation Captain

PHOTO and GRAPHIC: Tang Ying Hui

In her 26-year career with Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Superintendent of Prisons (SUPT) Irene Liew’s proudest achievement is overseeing the development of SPS Headquarters and Selarang Park Complex (SPC). "Not many officers get to experience developing a prison complex from its foundational stage to full operations," she shared. Irene brought in SPS’s first video analytics system, which helps officers at SPC detect incidents such as fighting and self-harm. This marked one of SPS's many milestones towards smarter prison systems.

The SPS Headquarters (pictured) is one of the projects Irene saw to fruition. PHOTO: Tang Ying Hui

Driving Technology Advancement for Corrections 2030

Irene drives the integration of advanced technologies into SPS’s work in her current role as Senior Assistant Director, Trans-Tech Development and Sustainment Branch, Transformation and Technology Division. Working closely with the Home Team Science and Technology Agency and various stakeholders, Irene's team spearheads technology initiatives under Corrections 2030 that will power the future of corrections in Singapore.

One such project is the Autonomous Tele-visit System, where loved ones can speak with inmates via video conference in a secured manner. By using facial recognition technology, artificial intelligence and sentiment analysis, the convenience and security of the session are enhanced. "The system can detect unauthorised third parties in conversations, analyse sentiments of both visitors and inmates, and even pause sessions if it detects somebody attempting to record the conversation," she explained. The system will be on trial from October 2025 at New Life Stories, one of SPS’s Satellite Visit Centres.

The Autonomous Tele-visit System was showcased during SPS-YRSG Corporate Advance 2025. PHOTO: SPS

Irene’s typical workday is packed with meetings on new and ongoing projects. "I only had one and a half days in April where I’d no meetings lined up," she said with a laugh. She talks to various stakeholders to develop requirements for new projects, sorts out teething issues for projects being implemented and resolves day-to-day system issues.

Irene's project management skills have proven invaluable in navigating challenges. "It's always about stakeholders' appreciation of the technology and how much efficiency we can gain," she reflected. "Sometimes the backend infrastructure may not be ready, so we need to work with many stakeholders to ensure everything aligns."

For public-facing innovations like the Autonomous Tele-visit System, she emphasises the importance of building public trust. "We have to be very mindful about encouraging members of the public to use an unmanned booth and ensure they feel safe.” 

Managing Motherhood at Home

Irene with her husband and three children. PHOTO: SPS

Being a mother of three daughters aged 15, 13, and 11, Irene sees interesting parallels between managing projects and parenting. "Each child is like a different project with its own lifecycle," she said. "Just as every vendor has different capabilities, each child needs a unique approach."

The breadth of projects that Irene has handled has at times confused her youngest daughter about what the nature of Irene’s work is. “When she was younger, I was managing SPC’s construction. When she saw me leave the construction site, she asked why I was working in construction! Now that I am working on implementing and maintaining technological solutions, she thinks all I do is reply to emails. She’s like, ‘how difficult can it get?’”

She maintains work-life balance through 'protected time' - three dedicated hours with her children each evening. "Unless it's absolutely urgent, my team knows I only read messages during this time. It's about being present for my children, listening to their stories and having dinner together.”

Balancing Future Technologies and Motherhood in Home Team 

Irene sharing about the Autonomous Tele-visit System to Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Second Minister of Home Affairs and Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development. PHOTO: SPS

Looking ahead, Irene believes the future of the Home Team lies in striking the right balance. "Technology is here to stay, but we need to balance it with security and operational efficiency," she reflected. "We need to keep finding ways to tap on technology to address challenges in rehabilitation, security and manpower."

The balance extends to officers’ own homes. Her words of wisdom to fellow mothers in the Home Team: "Work will always be there, but protected time with your children brings more benefits than trying to do everything at once. You only have those few precious hours a week - treasure them, ring-fence them, and you'll be more effective both as a parent and an officer."