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One
of the hardest things to change is perhaps
a person’s attitude. Harry Yap knows
this for a fact. Since joining the Prisons
Department nine years ago, he has been involved
in the rehabilitation of prisoners. In his
latest posting as Deputy Head Programme (Community
Involvement), he encourages people to volunteer
in prisons.
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In
recent years, the Prisons Department embarked
on a drive to transform its corporate culture
to focus more on rehabilitation. The tagline, “Rehab,
Renew, Restart”, best reflects its mission and approach.
However, while the public is now more appre-ciative of the role of prison officers,
the general perception of inmates remains largely negative.
“It’s still a reality that the general public views prisoners very
differently and do not welcome them back into the community,” said Harry. “We
want to change public perception, because prisoners should be given a second
chance.”
‘We need more volunteers’
Tapping on community resources to achieve its mission is critical for the Department,
which has 2,000 uniformed staff handling 18,000 prisoners.
Currently, there are about 500 volunteers, many of whom are from volunteer
organisations. Harry wants double the number and welcomes help from individuals
as well as corporations.
A few individuals have started teaching art, drama, urban farming and choir
singing, and a corporation has shown interest to provide IT training.
“All these activities can be therapeutic and help to re-establish an inmate’s
self-worth and esteem,” said Harry, who hopes more volunteers will come
forward to teach music, sports, etc.
He is also exploring more volunteering opportunities, such as a pen-pal scheme,
assessing the training needs of volunteers, and looking into ways to strengthen
the staff-volunteer relationship.
Fulfilling and challenging vocation
Since joining the Department upon graduating in 1994, Harry has come a long
way in his career. His first posting was to Sembawang Drug Rehabilitation Centre
(DRC) as a Housing Unit Officer. There, he took care of the daily needs of
drug addicts, counselled the troubled and disciplined those who breached the
rules and regulations.
His second posting was to Prison Headquarters as Staff Officer in the Operations
Division. His next three postings were to Changi Prison as Head Administration,
Head Operations and Deputy Superintendent.
Harry said his stint at Changi Prison, Singapore’s largest prison, was
the most challenging. “Changi Prison is a maximum security prison that
houses about 2,300 inmates, including long-term, high-risk and problematic
prisoners,” he explained.
Undaunted by the many challenges, Harry excelled and was promoted twice while
working in Changi Prison. He also received the Minister’s National Day
Award in 2001 for administrative efficiency.
However, Harry prefers to view his achievements “in a more intangible
way”. He has gained much experience in handling difficult inmates, provided
strong leadership for other officers, and successfully managed Singapore’s
largest prison.
Most of all, he finds satisfaction in helping prisoners. He shared one such
experience while working in Sembawang DRC.
“I met an inmate who was working in the staff tea room. As I ate my lunch
there almost daily, I talked to him quite often. During a conversation, I learned
that he would be released soon. He intended to set up a restaurant by borrowing
money from his friends or getting them to chip in the business.”
Harry advised him to work for a few years first to save up and cautioned him
against doing things too hastily.
A few years later, Harry met him at a petrol station. He had heeded Harry’s
advice and took up a second job as a pump attendant.
“When I heard that, I felt a sense of satisfaction that reinforced my conviction
of being in the right profession,” he said.
Encouraged, Harry persists in believing that people can change for the better
and hopes that more will share his view soon.
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If
you are keen to volunteer
your time in prisons, please
call 6546 9313.
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