REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES FOR CRIMINALS

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether he will establish rehabilitation programmes for those persons, who have committed an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years and who have maintained a criminal-free record for 10 years, with a view of expunging their names from the Criminal Investigation Department's criminal records and of making it easier for them to obtain employment.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: It is necessary to keep criminal records for all serious offences. These records are used by the Courts for consideration in sentencing. They are also useful in facilitating police investigations. Police do not disclose criminal records to employers, except for jobs that have public safety and security implications.

The Prisons Department already has in place a range of rehabilitative measures to help prisoners re-integrate into society upon their release, when it matters most. Vocational training and academic programmes are available to prisoners to help them develop good work ethics and acquire relevant skills that would help them secure jobs after their release. Ex-prisoners who have difficulties in obtaining employment can approach the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE) for assistance. SCORE has tied up with a number of companies that are prepared to employ ex-prisoners and would assist them in finding a job with one of these companies.

Ultimately, it is the companies which decide whether to employ any person.