Inmate Contact with Children during Incarceration, Recidivism Outcomes and Structured Intervention Programmes for Children of Incarcerated Parents
Ministry of Social and Family DevelopmentSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Victor Lye’s inquiry regarding inmate-child contact, family continuity's effect on recidivism, and support programmes for families of the incarcerated. Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli B M M stated that 68% of inmates received visits in 2025 and detailed measures like quarterly video conferencing and e-letters. He highlighted that family support is vital for reintegration, while noting that the INTRACS+ study found children of incarcerated parents are more likely to offend. To mitigate risks, the Ministry of Social and Family Development works with various agencies to provide timely assistance through Family Coaches and caseworkers when families are impacted. The Ministry will continue monitoring programme effectiveness and strengthening coordination between the Singapore Prison Service and social service providers to support these vulnerable children and families.
Transcript
36 Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) what proportion of inmates maintain regular physical or virtual contact with their children during incarceration; and (b) whether the Ministry has studied the relationship between family contact continuity and recidivism outcomes.
37 Mr Victor Lye asked the Minister for Social and Family Development (a) whether the Ministry has studied the long-term educational, employment and offending outcomes of children with incarcerated parents; and (b) whether there are structured intervention programmes to support children of incarcerated parents in schools and community settings to reduce downstream risks of trauma, delinquency or social disengagement.
Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: International studies and research have shown that incarceration significantly destabilises the family in the immediate term, and that family support plays a key role in helping ex-offenders reintegrate back into society and remain offence-free.
To support families impacted by incarceration, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) works closely with the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Social Service Agencies (SSAs). For instance, Social Service Office (SSO) Family Coaches of ComLink+ clients and Family Service Centre caseworkers will be notified when their clients or their clients' family members are incarcerated. This enables them to assess the family's needs and provide timely assistance to support the family.
To help families to connect and support their loved ones in prison, SPS has put in place measures, such as facilitating pro-social contact between inmates and their families. In 2025, 68% of inmates received visits (either televisit or face-to-face) from their family members. In addition to visits, inmates may also connect with their families via e-letters, phone calls and family programmes. SPS also collaborates with MOE to connect incarcerated parents with their school-going children through quarterly video conferencing sessions.
Mr Lye asked whether MSF would consider developing anonymised longitudinal tracking of children of incarcerated parents. MSF and the National Council of Social Service already did this and will continue to do so via the Intergenerational Transmission of Criminality and Social Disadvantages Plus (INTRACS+) study. INTRACS+ looks at the longer-term effects of incarceration on children and found that children with parental criminal justice involvement were more likely to offend compared to those without such exposure.
MSF will continue to work with agencies to monitor and assess the effectiveness of these programmes and measures, including strengthening coordination between SPS, SSOs and SSAs to support families impacted by incarceration.