Penal recidivism rate in Singapore 2014-2021

In 2023, it was found that convicts who were released from prison in 2021 had a recidivism rate of 22 percent. Singapore has a relatively low recidivism rate, a result of the commitment to rehabilitation and reintegration of released convicts into society. 

Overall recidivism rates in Singapore

Singapore measures its recidivism rate as the percentage of local inmates detained, convicted, and imprisoned again for a new offence within two years from their release. For juveniles, however, this rate is measured for a span of three years after release from a juvenile facility. In 2020, Singapore’s juvenile recidivism rate was much lower than that of adult convicts.

Rehabilitation programs in prison

To keep inmates from reoffending upon release, Singapore’s prison system offers several programs to facilitate the reintegration into society. Inmates are offered counseling, social skills training, as well as work and academic programs. In 2022, the number of inmates engaged in work programs amounted to 2.3 thousand; on the other hand, there were fewer inmates enrolled in academic programs. Furthermore, repeat drug abusers who did not commit any other offenses were sent to the Drug Rehabilitation Center instead of to prison, in order to treat their drug addiction and prevent them from relapsing.