Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said that efforts by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) have resulted in the country achieving one of the lowest two-year recidivism rates in the world. How about death sentence? Can we do better?
“Having gotten the two-year recidivism rate stable, we want to bring it down further,” said Mr Shanmugam, who is also Minister for Law, to around 600 people at the SPS-YRSG Corporate Advance 2023 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre. Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said on Wednesday that efforts by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG) have resulted in the country achieving one of the lowest two-year recidivism rates in the world, as reported by Straits Times.
Bringing down Singapore’s five-year recidivism rate, however, has been more challenging, Mr Shanmugam said. It has remained at around 40 per cent for the past decade.
Norway’s Prison System Today
Norway is known for having one of the most progressive prison systems in the world. The country’s prison system focuses on rehabilitation rather than punishment, with the goal of reducing recidivism and helping prisoners successfully reintegrate into society. Today, Norway boasts an impressively low recidivism rate, with only 20% of its previously incarcerated individuals committing a new crime within two years of their release. This figure increases only slightly to 25% even after a five-year period has passed.
One of the key aspects of the Norwegian prison system is that it emphasizes the importance of treating prisoners with respect and dignity. In fact, Norway’s Correctional Services state that their guiding principle is that “deprivation of liberty is the punishment, not the prison conditions.”
Norwegian prisons are designed to feel more like a home than a prison. Cells are decorated with artwork and have large windows to let in natural light. Prisoners are provided with access to education and job training programs, as well as recreational activities like sports, music, and cooking classes. The goal is to provide prisoners with the skills and knowledge they need to lead productive lives once they are released from prison.
Norwegian prisons also have a strong focus on mental health. All prisoners are screened for mental health issues when they enter the prison system, and those who need treatment are provided with access to mental health services. Additionally, all staff members at Norwegian prisons receive training in mental health and are encouraged to form positive relationships with the prisoners in their care.
Norway Government Made The Change In The 1990s
Before the 1990s, Norway’s prison system was similar to those found in other Western countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Roughly 70% of all released prisoners recommitted crimes within two years of release. That rate is nearly equal to the recidivism rate in the United States today. The focus was on punishment and deterrence rather than rehabilitation. Prisons were often overcrowded, with inmates confined to small cells for most of the day. The conditions were often poor, with a lack of educational and vocational opportunities, which made it difficult for prisoners to reintegrate into society once they were released.
The Norwegian authorities came to the realization that the prevailing prison system was failing to effectively address the problem at hand. With high rates of crime and recidivism, the prisons were characterized by frequent assaults, riots, and jailbreaks, signaling the need for an overhaul. Taking a bold step, the Norwegian government initiated a complete transformation of the prison system, which has since become a global benchmark for excellence. Notably, some states in the U.S. are adopting Norway’s approach. As a result of these changes, the rate of recidivism in Norway is significantly lower, and the prisons are now much safer and more tranquil.
Death Sentence Abolished in Norway in 1979 for All Crimes
Norway does not have a mandatory death sentence. In fact, Norway abolished the death penalty in 1979 for all crimes. Norway is now considered one of the most progressive and humane countries when it comes to its criminal justice system.
Death Sentence Isn’t the Only Way
This shows that death sentence isn’t the only way to deter crime, if not specifically, drug related ones. The low recidivism rate in Norway is prove that there are alternatives.
Throwing the ball back into the court of Singapore Government, do you have the will to change for the better?
