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Changing Lanes Andrew Tay Han Meng (Staff Sergeant) is a prison officer with Singapore Prisons as well as an avid basketballer. He tells D&D why Singapore Prison is an excellent career choice for those who like to make a difference in other people’s lives. Singapore Prisons has come a long way. From solely providing security and safe custody of inmates to today’s Yellow Ribbon, it focuses on giving ex-offenders a second chance. And like any other corporate organisation, outsourcing and marketing efforts had played critical roles in the success of the Singapore Prisons. The outsourcing of escorts to Police and CISCO officers, medical expertise to Raffles Medical Group and Yellow Ribbon Project to the CARE network, has allowed Singapore Prisons to effectively focus on its core business. At the same it was able to diversify into areas like innovation and propel into knowledge and service management.
First Class Organisation
Andrew believes this is the reason why Singapore Prisons is able to achieve the Singapore Innovation Class (I-Class). Other awards that his department had clinched this year included the 3I Greenhouse Award and the Gold award for Singapore H.E.A.L.T.H (Helping Employees Achieve Life-Time Health). The coaching framework that is in place in the organisation allowed SPO (Senior Prison Officers) and PO (Prison Officers) to build rapport with each other and understand each other’s expectations. This enables Coaches to identify the training needs of each individual officer and provide the necessary guidance. As it is a one to one type of attention, officers naturally took up personal responsibilities to learn, unlearn and relearn.
The Road Less Travelled
Andrew’s peers, teachers and even his family members have always had no objections to his choice of career path. “After joining the service I chanced upon a teacher who had taught me in Secondary school. When I told her that I am currently with the Singapore Prisons, she exclaimed ‘Serve you right!’. Well, I wasn’t exactly a good role model back then. [Laughs].” “I have been enjoying every moment in the Singapore Prisons. I learned a lot not only from colleagues but also a lot from the inmates. It is a rare learning journey where you get to hear experiences from a big pool of people from various backgrounds and experiences.”
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Basketball Against Drugs
Andrew recalled when he was in his first year of service as a personal supervisor, his Housing Unit Officer (retired) had suggested that he start an inter-Housing Unit Basketball tournament. Given his track record in Basketball, he was tasked to organise a basketball team to represent his Housing Unit.
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“Initially I wanted to choose the easy way out, to select those better behaved inmates. However, I decided that it is a golden opportunity for me build rapport with some of the notorious inmates and try influencing them in a positive way. Though I did not expect to create miracles, I was pleasantly surprised that through the sessions, I started to gain more respect from the inmates and they no longer see me as a ‘new bird’ in the prisons. Thereafter, most of them started to confide in me about their problems. “ He recalls that one inmate who was initially very rebellious came forward after the tournament to thank him and gave Andrew his word that he will never commit another crime again. The inmate mentioned that the new found hobby of playing basketball would help him occupy his time instead of turning to drugs. “It has been three years and till today, my records still show that he is a free man and I am really glad I was able to make a difference.”
Learning Culture
Andrew has been posted to work in headquarters so his contact with inmates nowadays is minimal. “I missed those days as a Personal Supervisor but I am really glad to have been posted here. The exposure working in the Headquarters had taught me how to adopt a holistic approach when handling my work.” The learning environment and encouragement given to him from his superiors to engage in continuous learning has always been a source of inspiration. “I recall that one of my coaches even asked me where I saw myself in ten years time. I boldly answered him ‘In your position, sir’. It is not just the position that I am eyeing for but the difference that I see he has made in inmates’ lives.” When asked what is most inspirational about his work, Andrew has this to say: “What I like best? That someone, somewhere on this island, is changed for the work we have done.”
Career Advancement
Andrew encourages fresh graduates to join the prison service. “For those who think that the Prisons Service is all about brute strength and being ‘garung’. I can assure you that it is not the case. Prisons Service is able to excel in various areas due to the commitment and passion each staff possesses. The passion to make a difference and to steer the wheels to be ‘Captains of Lives’ in the inmates’ lives. The Prison Service is also an organisation that cares for its staff and definitely is an exciting career for those who delight in seeing lives change.” Like other uniform organisations, Prisons Service is based on a rank structure. There are about eight ranks in the Prison Officers Scheme. Officers who are able to exhibit great leadership skills are also able to have a chance to cross over to the Senior Prison Officers
Scheme where they would be able to assume greater responsibilities and roles. Ultimately, it all boils down to the performance and potential of the individual officer.
Reintegration
The Core Skills Programme (CSP) has been developed to help inmates to re-adjust to society and function as normal individuals after their release. Thus, CSP includes stress management, anger management, conflict resolution and interpersonal relationship etc. The integration of family and peer support is done seamlessly through the case management by counsellors. The families are involved especially during the pre-release, on how to assist inmates to adjust to outside life after their release. In addition, families are also involved in pre-releasing counselling specifically on their roles in assisting their loved ones to adjust. Under the umbrella of the CARE network, Singapore Prisons together with the Ministry of Home Affairs were able to work hand in hand with organisations like SCORE, SANA, SACA, ISCOS, and NCSS to provide job placement services to help inmates reintegrate into society. Usually these jobs are assigned based on the individuals’ job experience and training obtained during their incarceration in prisons. However, this is also largely dependent on the various employers who graciously offer job vacancies to these ex-offenders.
International Exposure
While the common perception may be that public sector staff would never get the kind of exposure that the private sector provides, Andrew says that nothing could be further from the truth. During the 2004 Asia Pacific Conference for Correctional Administrators, Andrew was deployed to be the liaison officer for the Thailand delegates. “It was a tremendous experience and the exchange was truly enlightening. Throughout the years, the Singapore Prisons has also been inspiring, motivating me to take a part-time degree course in Business Management. Hopefully I can play my part in the Yellow Ribbon project in time to come!”
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