Advertisement

Singapore seeks to hold ‘dangerous offenders’ indefinitely, even past prison terms

  • The proposed legislation would apply to those above 21 who are convicted of crimes that include culpable homicide, rape and sex with minors
  • Under the proposed bill, offenders would not be automatically released after completing their prison terms, unless they were no longer deemed a public threat

Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
2
Singapore seeks to hold ‘dangerous offenders’  indefinitely, even past prison terms, according to a bill submitted to parliament on Wednesday. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore is proposing to hold “dangerous offenders” indefinitely, even after they complete their jail sentences, according to a bill submitted to parliament on Wednesday.
Advertisement

The proposed legislation would apply to those above 21 who are convicted of crimes that include culpable homicide, rape and sex with minors.

In a joint statement, the law and home affairs ministries said the measure would be a “severe sentence” but would “better protect the public from dangerous offenders”.

We want to ensure that such dangerous and high-risk offenders are not released back into the community until they no longer pose a threat to public safety
Singapore’s law and home affairs ministries statement

It added that as a safeguard, it would be the court that decides if an offender falls under what it calls the sentence for enhanced public protection.

Cases cited by the ministries include a man who in 2020 sexually assaulted his 12-year-old stepdaughter within two years of being released from prison for the rape of his 11-year-old niece.

“We want to ensure that such dangerous and high-risk offenders are not released back into the community until they no longer pose a threat to public safety,” the statement said.

“Our current sentencing options are inadequate to deal with such egregious offending.”

Advertisement