Safeguards to Prevent Serious Assault Case Involving Inmates at Changi Prison Complex
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim’s inquiry into safeguards and technology-driven solutions, including the "Prisons without Guards" concept, to prevent inmate assaults at Changi Prison Complex. Minister K Shanmugam explained that the Singapore Prison Service monitors conflict signs, provides rehabilitation for high-risk inmates, and maintains systems for inmates to report safety concerns. He highlighted the expansion of surveillance and the implementation of video analytics to detect aggressive behaviors, enabling officers to respond more rapidly to incidents. These capabilities were demonstrated in a recent case where officers intervened within 20 seconds, leading to the prosecution and sentencing of the inmates involved. The Ministry continues to review and enhance its operational and technological deterrents to ensure a secure environment and swift response to any violence.
Transcript
24 Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim asked the Minister for Home Affairs in view of the recent serious assault case involving inmates in the Changi Prison Complex, what are the additional safeguards that can be adopted in the future to prevent such similar situations from escalating, including leveraging on technology towards the "Prisons without Guards" concept.
Mr K Shanmugam: The case mentioned by the Member involved an inmate who was assaulted by two other inmates at the Changi Prison Complex. The victim was waiting in the medical centre for his medical review. He was suddenly assaulted by two other inmates who were in the same room. A prison officer who was in the monitoring room saw the assault and responded with two other officers within 20 seconds, and stopped the assault. The two inmates who had assaulted the victim have been charged in Court. One has been sentenced, and the other is pending sentencing.
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has measures in place to try to prevent assault incidents from occurring, and to respond swiftly when they do.
First, Prison officers actively look out for signs of conflict between inmates. Inmates are also informed that they can approach staff if they encounter any issues or fear for their safety.
Second, inmates who are assessed to be of higher risk of violence undergo programmes to address their violent behaviours.
Third, SPS leverages technology to detect incidents and intervene swiftly. SPS is expanding its use of surveillance cameras to monitor all areas which inmates have access to. SPS is also using video analytics to detect abnormal or aggressive behaviours. When this capability is fully in place, officers can be alerted and respond to suspected fights, medical emergencies or suicidal behaviour, even quicker.
SPS takes incidents of assault very seriously, and will continue to review and enhance its operational capabilities to deter inmates from committing assault, and to be able to swiftly detect and respond.