Building Pro-social Support Networks, SPS & Desistors from DN (RRD) (PID179)

2.30pm – 3pm EDT, 4 September 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

Singapore Prison Service (SPS)’s approach to rehabilitation and reintegration results in a low and stable two-year recidivism rate of around 20%. SPS provides inmates with programmes to address criminal thinking, substance abuse, and interpersonal violence, alongside opportunities for work, skill development, and education. Beyond these, SPS recognises that most inmates do not have strong social capital for sustained desistance, therefore, intentional efforts are required to build up inmates’ pro-social capital to promote desistance.

The Desistor Network (DN) was set up in 2023 to create a strong network where desistors can enhance their connection to the community, strengthen their competencies and harnessing opportunities for positive impact. Some of the initiatives include community of practice sessions organised to facilitate desistors’ and volunteers’ sharing of best practices in the areas of support groups and mentoring. Through DN, we envision engaging every desistor, connecting and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to the community.

SPS also introduced the Volunteer Case Officer Scheme In 2023. It leveraged experienced volunteers, as well as suitable students from Institutes of Higher Learning, to provide case management, counselling, and prosocial support to the supervisees serving their remaining sentence in the community. Some of these VCOs are ex-offenders who want to contribute back to the cause of helping the inmates in the desistance journey as they understand the challenges through their lived experiences.  SPS’s efforts to mobilise the community helps to create an ecosystem of community support to help ex-offenders desist from crime and drugs for good.

Speakers

Louis Woo

Assistant Director (Desistor Network), Singapore Prison Service, Singapore

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Yeo Yun Luo

ISCOS Titan, Industrial and Services Co-operative Society

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Louis Woo

Assistant Director (Desistor Network), Singapore Prison Service, Singapore

Mr. Louis Woo plays a pivotal role in overseeing the development of the Desistor Network (DN). Launched in April 2023, DN aims to establish a robust community that harnesses and synergizes the strengths of individual desistors while fostering a collective network. With increasing support from the community, desistors can embark on a transformative journey, reinforcing and being reinforced by one another. Through DN, our vision is to engage every desistor, connecting and empowering them to make meaningful contributions to the community.

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Yeo Yun Luo

ISCOS Titan, Industrial and Services Co-operative Society

Mr. Yeo Yun Luo has overcome challenges in early years and turned his life around. He is currently a Senior Project Manager in Cushman & Wakefield. With over ten years of experience in construction project management, Yun Luo specializes in commercial fit-out, design and build, and consultancy. He has led numerous construction projects across Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region, managing installation, programming, and commissioning teams to ensure successful outcomes. 

Despite his busy work schedule, Yun Luo dedicates himself to volunteering efforts, which includes involvement in the prison mentoring programme facilitated by ISCOS

(Industrial & Services Co-Operative Society Ltd) and as a grassroots member serving the community in one of the constituencies.