Dear Friends
I am heartened to be amidst so many partners today to mark 15 years of the Community Service Order, or commonly known as CSO. CSO was introduced in 1996 to achieve the objective of punishment, reparation and rehabilitation. Since then, more than 1.1 million hours of community service were ordered by the Courts to about 12,000 probationers. This is equivalent to 132 years’ worth of probationers giving back to the community.
2 This is only possible because of you, our community partners. You have opened your doors to accept these offenders on probation, created opportunities for them to make a difference in the lives of others and the community and in so doing, redeem themselves to become socially responsible individuals.
Synergize
3 We started off modestly in 1996 with 10 social service agencies providing community service placements for probationers. Today, we have a network of more than 130 partners. I am encouraged to hear that 8 of the 10 pioneer agencies are still with us. The Probation Service has also leveraged on partnerships with private companies, which have a strong commitment towards Corporate Social Responsibility. Since 2010, 3 private companies have come on board the CSO agencies network.
4 Greater synergy reaps greater benefits. We saw earlier the video on Project Shine involving Pertapis Children’s Home, PSC Corporation Ltd and Probation Services Branch. The synergy provided the children in the Home with new board games and a more conducive library environment to support their reading and learning. PSC Corporation, through their Corporate Social Responsibility programme provided caring adults to work alongside the probationers. The project instilled discipline and responsibility in the probationers. It also taught them the joy of giving and caring for the less fortunate. I think we saw it in the video just now when the boy said, if not for CSO, he wouldn’t know that there were so many needy people in Singapore. It brought about in him a sense of fulfillment and wanting to turn over a new leaf.
Maximise
5 The CSO programme has evolved over the years to make the community service activities more meaningful and relevant to the needs of probationers and the clients at the agencies. Initially, probationers are given primarily menial tasks like cleaning of agency premises. The probationers now have opportunities to interact with agency clients, help to service wheelchairs and organize social activities for the different client groups at the agencies. This has expanded to include opportunities to improve the environment and contribute to the arts as well.
6 CSO is not just about punishment. It is also about enabling probationers to gain new skills that could benefit them in their life. My colleagues informed me that some probationers were offered employment at their CSO agencies, while others returned to volunteer at the agencies. This is indeed very encouraging.
Case Study
7 Let me share the story of a 21-year old youth. In 2009 at age 19, Bukharie committed a theft offence and was placed on probation. As a condition of probation, he was also ordered to fulfil 120 hours of community service. Bukharie is here with us this afternoon. Bukharie, could you please stand up?
8 When he was placed at the first agency, he showed an attitude and was not cooperative. His attendance was irregular and he only completed 18 hours of community service. Instead of taking punitive measures, his CSO officer decided to empower him and allow him to select an agency that he would like to work with. He approached 10 agencies before he finally knocked on the doors of the 11th agency.
9 The Malay Youth Literary Association, or 4PM, identified Bukharie’s initiative to seek help as his greatest strength. He was initially tasked with menial tasks, which almost made him quit. But, the respect given to him by 4PM's staff made him stay.
10 He was involved in organising various activities at 4PM. Staying in the same neighbourhood, he provided useful insights to 4PM for its youth programmes. 4PM recognised his leadership qualities and nominated him to represent Singapore at a leadership expedition in India. In 2010, he was awarded "The best new volunteer" by 4PM.
11 Though he has already completed probation successfully in December last year, he chose to continue his volunteer work with 4PM despite his busy schedule with his National Service. We’re proud of you, Bukharie and your accomplishments. Keep on this path and I’m sure you’ll achieve your dreams and whatever goals you set in life.
12 There are many similar success stories. With your encouragement and support, the probationers overcame the stumbling blocks in their rehabilitation journey and were given a chance at making good.
13 This year, my Ministry was entrusted with 2 new CSO programmes. In January, CSO as a community-based sentencing option under the Penal Code was introduced for adult offenders in lieu of imprisonment and fine. To date, about 50 offenders have been placed on such an order. In June, CSO was extended to maintenance defaulters to strengthen the enforcement of Maintenance Orders under the Women’s Charter. We have 1 defaulter on CSO.
Energise
14 My officers will continue to work with CSO agencies to re-design the community service placements to take CSO to a higher level. Through innovative and meaningful CSO projects, we could reap maximum benefits for the offenders’ rehabilitation and the community at large.
15 With the changes in the profile of offenders we are seeing today, participating CSO agencies have requested for training to better understand and manage the offenders on CSO. We hear you and will introduce training programmes for CSO agencies from the second quarter of next year. We also recognize that the re-designing of CSO projects might incur costs in terms of materials, etc. My colleagues are working out the details for the funding of such proposals. More details will be shared with you soon once they’re ready.
Thank you
16 You would have noticed by now that the theme for today’s event has to do with stars. The organizing committee has used the Star as the symbol of our appreciation to all our partners. Stars shine at night, offering gleams of light. You are the stars for the probationers, providing them with guidance and opportunities.
17 The probationers and clients from the Singapore Association for Mental Health and Metta Welfare Association have helped to produce the invite cards and star mementos. As you can see, it’s open to all kinds of interpretation. But one thing for sure, it stands for something inspiring – something to guide us, to give us hope, a chance for us to be shown the light. The journey the probationers took with clients from the 2 agencies made them appreciate life better. Working with friends who are intellectually, and for some, physically slower than them, has taught the probationers patience, empathy and respect. And I think that’s very important in a society like ours. We cannot be so quick to dismiss others and should learn to see the good side of people. Our probationers too need support from the community, from everyone, so that they can find their feet and get back on track in life.
18 I believe that our strong partnership will benefit the probationers and offenders; and elevate CSO to a higher level. Thank you to all our partners for your dedication and commitment in giving our young probationers a second chance.