Operationalised in 2017, Institution A4 (formerly known as the Changi Women’s Prison) is a medium security prison and the only women remand, prison and drug rehabilitation centre in Singapore.  It has a capacity of 1,364 inmates and is managed only by women officers.

 

Institution A4 conducts gender-responsive programmes catered specifically for women inmates to address their criminogenic needs. Officers are trained in gender-responsive skills and work closely with psychologists and Correctional Rehabilitation Specialists to co-create a gender-responsive transformative environment to support women inmates’ rehabilitation.

 

Institution A4 is equipped with facilities that cater to the varying needs of women inmates, such as:

Institution A4 conducts vocational training for inmates to learn skills to enhance their employability upon release. The institution operates a call centre, tailoring workshop, and art workshop (“Art Behind Bars”) where suitable inmates undergo work programme as part of their rehabilitation. Those who are academically inclined can also pursue education programmes to prepare them for the national exams.