The Theatre Arts Programme (TAP) in Changi Prison: Nurturing Rehabilitation Through Drama-Based Learning (PID158)

12pm – 12.30pm EDT, 4 September 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

The Theatre Arts Programme (TAP) initiated by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) in 2011, represents a groundbreaking initiative aimed at fostering rehabilitation and lifelong learning among incarcerated individuals. Designed, developed and implemented by Peggy Ferroa, TAP’s roots trace back to pilot programmes initiated as early as 2006.

The mission was to create pedagogically sound approaches to encourage lifelong learning for participants from multiple ethnicities and ages. Specifically targeting inmates with limited or no formal education, TAP employs creative modalities such as drama, percussion, movement, and basic stage management. These serve as vehicles to ignite interest in learning, enhance written and spoken English, and instil valuable work ethics.

The programme’s theoretical foundations draw from Bandura’s Social Learning Theory (1977) emphasising observational learning and self-efficacy, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (1984), encouraging active participation and reflection. TAP’s assessments are performance-based, aligning with real-world scenarios. Post-release outcomes reveal successful reintegration stories, where former participants transition into society equipped with critical thinking skills and newfound confidence. The culmination of this presentation will feature an honest sharing from a past participant of TAP about the challenges and benefits of the programme.

Speakers

Peggy Ferroa

Independent Artist Educator, Singapore

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Hairul Borhan

Independent Content Creator, Singapore

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Peggy Ferroa

Independent Artist Educator, Singapore

Peggy Ferroa is a versatile artist educator who creates performances with diverse groups including people with special needs, older adults, and cultural communities. Her productions have graced prestigious festivals worldwide including the Singapore’s International Festival of Arts, and Silver Arts Festival, Malaysia’s Georgetown Festival and Japan's World Gold Theatre Festival.

In 2006, she was the artistic director for the Yellow Ribbon Concert, after which she went on to help the Singapore Prison Service established the Theatre Arts Programme (TAP). TAP offers a multimodal approach to address the various learning needs of inmates and helps facilitate critical thinking, growth mindset and collaboration skills. The co-creation of performances encourages new patterns of thinking and behaviour, offering opportunities for change for the actors as well as the audience. She anchors her practice on Badura’s Social Learning and Self-Regulation Theories. Peggy runs TAP till today and has adapted it to reach violent crime inmates, female inmates, young offenders and ex-offenders.

The effects of change through TAP formed the research for her master’s thesis, The Impact of Drama on Recidivism in Singapore: A Collective Case Study. It looked at the effect of TAP two years after participants left prison. She has also presented an overview of her work in The Shifting Roles of an Artist Working in a Singapore Prison, at the Fourth International Teaching Artist Conference in New York. 

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Hairul Borhan

Independent Content Creator, Singapore

Hairul Bohran, has experienced both adversity and growth. Having spent a total of 16 years in prison, he joined the Theatre Arts Programme (TAP) in Changi Prison during his last sentence. After spending over a year in TAP, he emerged with newfound skills and determination. Now, into his 4th year of his release, Hairul lives with a renewed sense of purpose and direction as a full-time content creator. He channels the knowledge acquired during his time in TAP to craft engaging and impactful stories to ask audiences to think about their actions. His journey has also led him to become a Peer Leader for the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA), where he shares personal insights and provides guidance. Leveraging on the speaking and facilitation skills honed in TAP, Hairul also conducts regular talks for young offenders at the Reformative Training Centre (RTC), encouraging them to act on change. Hairul exemplifies how an arts programme in prison can open doors to learning, personal growth and positive change.