BREAKDOWN OF PRISONS AND PRISONERS

Dr Kanwaljit Soin asked the Minister for Home Affairs if he will (i) give the occupancy rates of the different prisons; (ii) outline the policy which decides the allocation of prisoners to the different prisons; and (iii) inform the House the percentage of prisoners who are illegal immigrants.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: Information concerning occupancy rates of the different prisons cannot be publicised for reason of prison security. Prisoners are housed in different prisons according to their security risk classification. High risk prisoners (eg condemned prisoners, those sentenced to life or long term imprisonment) are housed in maximum security prisons. Those of lower security risk are housed in medium security prisons. About 22% of the current prison population are immigration offenders, ie they are illegal immigrants and overstayers.