A summary of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules
Author Archives: transformativejusticecollective
Prison withholds letters sent to death row inmate
Death row inmates live extremely isolated lives, cut off from society. The knowledge that they are in prison awaiting execution only adds to the stress and anxiety. They should not be arbitrarily deprived of contact with the outside world.
Addressing domestic worker abuse can’t just be about harsh penalties
If we really want to protect domestic workers from being abused, we need to fundamentally rethink the power dynamics, as well as long-held mindsets in our society.
Explainer: What do Singaporeans really think about the death penalty?
The Singaporean government repeatedly justifies the retention of the death penalty by claiming that most Singaporeans are in favour of capital punishment. But what do Singaporeans really think?
Nothing Rehabilitative about Prison: Part 2
This is the second instalment in a series of two. Here, Mike shares why the prison denied him access to his family, and more instances in which his fellow inmates’ solidarity helped him resist the prison’s arbitrary cruelties.
Our Statement on Juvenile Justice
We are deeply troubled by Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) framing of intergenerational offending in pathological terms.
#DearSyed: Yours Sincerely,
A collection of letters, poems, and art addressed to Syed Suhail, who is currently on death row in Singapore.
Nothing Rehabilitative About Prison: Part 1
Mike shares his harrowing experiences at the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) in Changi Prison, reflecting on class differences and sexuality.
#DearSyed: “Once a mynah flew into my flat and got stuck”
“Friends tell me that prisoners in Singapore are always indoors. I thought I would tell you about birds I have seen near my home recently.”
Respect prisoners’ right to privacy and fair trials
The Transformative Justice Collective is shocked to see confirmation that private correspondence belonging to 13 death row inmates, including (in some cases) privileged communications with lawyers, was forwarded by the prison service to the Attorney-General’s Chambers, without these inmates’ consent.
