Monday, May 18, 2015

The Greying Prison Population

This is the kind of statistics that set you wondering. Of the convicted penal inmate population languishing in Singapore jails, some 27.7 percent are aged 51 and older as of 31 December 2014, a significant jump from the 16.8 percent of 2010. The figures for younger folk, of ages 50 and below, are lower, indicating a healthier downward decline. For sanity's sake, let's assume our youngsters are better behaved, and not that they can better afford clever lawyers.

The assistant director of the Prisons' building management department would only comment on the additional facilities required by elderly inmates, justifying the invitation to tender for grab-bars, hand-rails, self-closing taps and other senior citizen friendly enhancements to be installed in the jail cells. We are not told why more old folks are being locked up. Were they arrested for not having the prerequisite licence to collect cardboard from used cartons or selling tissue paper from table to table? Were they put away because they missed a town council tariff and lacked the cash for the fine? Here's a thought to keep you awake nights: are they preparing for a tsunami of silver haired inmates who are too destitute to afford the inflated Medishield Life premiums?

Instead of dwelling on the hardware aspects of the penal infrastructure, the associate director of one legal firm urged the authorities to allow for more "age- appropriate sentences" and early release for senior inmates with low risk of re-offending. Instead of locking up everyone at the slightest whim - the way they sweep up all the beggars and cart them to Pelangi Village to present the false facade of a youthful nation - they should ask themselves if prison is the right place to visit Ah Kong.

10 comments:

  1. Singapore becoming like Japan where poor elderly purposely keep on committing petty crimes to stay in prisons.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-15/japan-s-prisons-are-turning-into-nursing-homes

    Imagine Japan with basic pension & free medical & greater social support can still have so many elderly preferring to stay in prisons.... Singapore will be in much worse situation.

    I won't be surprised PAP will eventually take a very hard-nosed approach e.g. delaying or denying medical treatment, liberal accusations of "malingering" at elderly prisoners (just like NS in the old days), forced physical punishments for no rhyme or reason, denial of food & water, forced daily regime of tough physical & mental routines, those who cannot perform will have their food ration cut in half, etc etc.

    These were things practiced in the old SAF Detention Barracks. And very likely PAP to implement in prisons to deter old folks from treating it as old folks' home.

    And another thing PAP will implement into law by 2030 to solve elderly problem --- EUTHANASIA.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not before they take your organs or whatever that can be monetized.

      Delete
  2. Me am not surprised that there is a high proportion of oldie prison inmates.

    I would expect more oldies to get arraigned as they face more problems in livelihood in job, health, shelter AND MANDATORY PARTICIPATIONS IN SCHEMES SUCH AS MONETARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO SCHEMES IMPLEMENTED BY THE AUTHORITY.

    IT WILL NOT BE SURPRISING IF EUTHANASIA BECOMES LAW IN SIN. IT IS NOT TOO FARFETCH FOR ANYONE TO EXPECT IT.

    THINK SINGAPOREANS NEED BE WARNED THAT WE MAY HAVE TO FACE ANARCHY ONE DAY.

    Can there be a system or a way to prevent the Oldies from breaking the Law?
    Maybe and it has to depend on how wise the Rulers are.

    Personally, me am of the Opinion that an early (re)merger with Malaysia could save future oldies from THE FATE OF EUTHANASIA.

    payriot

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  3. If one is rejected by those nursery homes for the aged, isn't it a good idea to go commit some serious crime and then be committed to a life sentence at Changi Home instead of one in JB ?

    At least don't have to choose between Singapore & JB nor worry about those nursery home fees ?

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  4. We can only have a clearer picture with a breakdown on the offences committed by these old jailbirds. Perhaps many of them were jailed for life in the youths, never to be released and no bucket list as they are enjoying the good life?

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Straits Times Index (STI) ended 7.32 points or 0.21% higher to 3463.1, taking the year-to-date performance to +2.91%.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So?
      You waiting for Temasek to return your cpf money is it?

      Delete
  6. " ... the associate director of one legal firm urged the authorities to allow for more "age- appropriate sentences" and early release for senior inmates with low risk of re-offending. "

    Which begs the question.
    Shouldn't there be an age limit for politicians and investment managers in Sovereign Wealth Funds?

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  7. Euthanasia is actually a good option to have. Especially for those with incurable diseases and willing to be put down.

    Many countries already have euthanasia laws. Especially in Western Europe.

    The important thing is how euthanasia law will be implemented. If implemented like in Benelux countries & Nordic countries then is OK.

    But if implemented like Hitler or Stalin then got problem.

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  8. Hey! Remember old Boxer and the glue factory? Take a page from Animal Farm. They shall call them Integrated Assistance Homes, integrated with state assisted suicide when your CPF is bled dry. Or maybe send them oldies to JB, its cheaper and by then you would be comfortably invisible. Remember the fist commandment of Animalism, foreign good, local baaaad. Singaporeans don't give a f*&k if it is someone else problem anyway, so whose to complain?

    ReplyDelete