Unlocking Insights from the Past

GRAPHIC: Joash Tan

What’s the first thing you hear waking up in the morning, and the last sound before bed? For prisoners housed in Changi Prison in late 1930s, it was the ringing of the old Changi Prison Clock Tower bell. 

The bell signalled the start of each day, as well as activities like mealtimes, yard time, religious classes, muster (headcount) checks and lights-out. 

Today, it greets visitors at the recently launched Singapore Prison Service (SPS) Heritage Gallery, 18 years since the Changi Prison was demolished in 2004 to make way for the current Changi Prison Complex. 

The bell was installed in 1936 at Changi Prison. PHOTO: SPS

“I still remember unwrapping the cling wrap from the bell when it was first brought out of the storeroom,” said Deputy Superintendent (DSP) Jaiy Santosh Annanthan, Senior Project Officer of the SPS Heritage Gallery. 

“For a history buff like me, it was intriguing. This is an antique that could easily find its place at the National Museum,” he gushed.

DSP Jaiy (centre) confirming the conservation works to be done on the bell. PHOTO: SPS

Bringing History Alive
Research on the Gallery’s artefacts took the Heritage Gallery Project Team more than five years. 

For Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Mohd Azha Abdul Wahab, Project Officer of the SPS Heritage Gallery, this was his favourite part of the work: “It was like going on an expedition - to discover and learn.”
 
One thing that preoccupied the project team was to look beyond the surface and dig deep. 

“A uniform worn in the 1950s by senior principal officers (equivalent to the current rank of Rehabilitation Officer) was donated to us, and we realised that the buttons, ranks and epaulettes were either inaccurate or missing,” said SSGT Azha. “To figure out the correct insignia and finishes, we scoured photos from the National Archives Singapore and the National Library Board.” 

The 1956 uniform is part of the display showcasing the evolution of Prison officers’ uniform and equipment. PHOTO: SPS

Then came the next challenge.

“We planned to get the buttons manufactured in metal, but it was not viable due to a minimum order required. So, we resorted to 3D printing to replicate the buttons and the accompanying accoutrements," SSGT Azha explained. "It was an opportunity for me to use my skills in 3D designing. As such, this exhibit is the closest to my heart.”

SSgt Azha inspecting the 3D printed buttons PHOTO: Joash Tan

Ties Through Heritage
Through their search for cold, hard facts, the project team formed a close-knit bond. 

DSP Jaiy felt the teamwork was the most memorable part of setting up the Gallery. “The team, including our Director, forged our camaraderie over constant discussions on content, historical facts, artefacts conservation and fabrication. The exhibits are now tangible reminiscences of the moments we toiled on this journey.”

DSP Jaiy inspecting the condition of the bricks from the Bras Basah Gaol site (current day SMU campus). PHOTO: SPS

The Gallery will be opened to students as part of the national and preventive education to create awareness on the prison conditions and the work of prison officers, also known as Captains of Lives next year.

But the Heritage Project Team also encourages fellow Prison officers and other Home Team colleagues to visit the Gallery and learn more about SPS’ rich heritage. 

“I view it akin to discovering your DNA,” said SSGT Azha.

PHOTO: Joash Tan

DSP Jaiy agreed: “Understanding our heritage gives us an insight to what our predecessors had been through, so that we can carry on their legacy and continue the mission of a safe and secure Singapore. I also would like to urge our Home Team colleagues to organise learning journeys to learn more about SPS’ rich past!”

Singapore Prison Service (SPS) Heritage Gallery
The SPS Heritage Gallery showcases SPS’ transformation from a custodial to a leading correctional agency and pays tribute to the contributions of earlier generations of Captains of Lives. Stay tuned for information on visiting the Gallery on SPS’ website, Facebook and Instagram pages. Read the speech by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of National Development, at the SPS-YRSG Corporate Advance 2022, where he officiated the Gallery’s opening.