The current narratives to encourage employers to hire people with incarcerated experiences tend to emphasise the social value of being inclusive and the moral obligation of giving second chances. What if hiring people with incarcerated experience generates good outcomes for companies and strengthens their workforce?
The restorative employment collaboration jointly driven by Lutheran Community Care Services and The Social Kitchen seeks to put forth new narratives and fresh perspectives that companies can truly be better off by embracing diversity and in so doing build a more compassionate, connected, and resilient workforce that is good for business and society.
Leveraging the positive impact of the Empatherapy programme in the Singapore Prison Service, the restorative employment initiative works with inmates who have been trained as peer supporters and help them access quality jobs in conducive environments where they can continue their restorative journey.
Beyond working towards twin goals of creating employment opportunities and strengthening workplace community bonds, the restorative employment initiative with The Social Kitchen and Bistro Bytes by Keppel Land incorporates technology to level the playing field for people with incarcerated experiences.
Ultimately, this session aims to generate new conversations on the potential of restorative work, in restoring dignity beyond providing a livelihood, by helping individuals feel seen, heard, and valued at the workplace.
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Justin Mui
Executive Director, Lutheran Community Care Services Ltd, Singapore
Justin Mui is Executive Director at Lutheran Community Care Services Ltd (LCCS), a social service agency that focuses on driving a restorative movement to break the cycle of hurt and build connected communities of empowered individuals, for the people, public and private sectors. Trained in Restorative Practices by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), Justin has facilitated proactive relationship-building and responsive peace-making circles for staff of government agencies, professional associations, social service agencies, and corporations. Justin has a Masters in Tri-Sector Collaboration from the Singapore Management University and is a registered social worker with the Singapore Association of Social Workers. He is also a Master Solution-Focused Brief Therapist with the International Alliance of Solution-Focused Teaching Institutes.
Starting as a youth worker at LCCS in 2007, Justin served in various other roles and capacities, such as counsellor and manager, before taking on the role of Executive Director from the founder. Together with the management team, Justin led LCCS to achieve the Kincentric Best Employers for Social Service Sector in 2021. He has also spoken on local and overseas platforms on LCCS’ people practices and strategies on diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Kian Peng Ang
Founder, The Social Kitchen, Singapore
Ang Kian Peng founded The Social Kitchen to empower the vulnerable through meaningful employment. The Social Kitchen aims to be the largest employer of marginalised individuals in Singapore and across South-east Asia. The company trains and hires from across Singapore’s vulnerable community – persons with disabilities, single mothers, people with incarcerated experiences, mature workers, caregivers and more.
Through a collaborative partnership mindset, Kian Peng scales his work and impact by remaining asset-light, made possible by developing partnerships with landlords such as banks, property developers or non-profits. The most recent partnership with Bistro Bytes by Keppel Land, leverages technology and automation to provide a conducive and structured environment for individuals to receive coaching support while working towards better livelihoods.
