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He may have committed a crime but he is fully
capable of changing for the better.
Ex-offenders too can get back on their feet
and become productive members of society. Community support
is important to cheer them on their road to recovery.
So be part of the Yellow Ribbon Project -
show them your support to unlock the second "prison".
Only you can.
The
Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP)
Inspired by a popular song in the 70s, "Tie
a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", the YRP seeks
to help ex-offenders who take responsibility for their own
actions and are trying to earn back the trust from family,
friends, colleagues, employers and the community.
The 11,000 ex-offenders released from the
various prisons and Drug Rehabilitative Centres (DRC) each
year yearn to return to their families and the community as
contributing members. And the community plays an important
part in creating a stable social environment where ex-offenders
and their families can feel a sense of belonging and find
hope to start life afresh.
For the very first time, Community Action
for the Rehabilitation of Ex-Offenders (CARE) Network’s
member agencies are jointly organising the YRP to raise the
awareness of the Singapore community towards the needs of
ex-offenders in their difficult journey towards leading normal
lives.
Keys to Unlocking the Second "Prison"
“I’m really still
in prison and my love, SHE holds the key, a simple
yellow ribbon’s what I need to set me free…”
The three lines above from the song aptly
describes the ex-offender’s helplessness and need for
the acceptance and forgiveness from his loved ones and the
community to set him free.
Offenders encounter two prisons - the first
is the physical prison where prison officers hold the key.
And once they are released, the ex-offender enters into a
second "prison", which is the psychological and
social imprisonment.
The "she" who holds the key to the
second "prison", not only refers to the ex-offender’s
family and friends, but also employers, colleagues, volunteers,
religious group and the community at large. Ordinary Singaporeans
like you and I too hold the keys to unlocking the doors of
this second "prison".
Goals of Yellow Ribbon Project – The
3 ‘A’s
The goals of this initiative are as follows:
· Create
Awareness of giving second chances to ex-offenders.
· Generate Acceptance of ex-offenders
and their families into the community.
· Inspire community Action to support
the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders.
For any enquires regarding the Yellow Ribbon
Project, please contact:
Ms Goh Bee Shan (Executive Officer)
Community Reintegration & Partnerships,
SCORE
DID: 6214 2867 Fax: 6546 0871
Email: Goh_Bee_Shan@score.gov.sg
Mr Anthony Chng (Executive Officer)
Community Reintegration & Partnerships, SCORE
DID: 6214 2816 Fax: 65460871
Email: Anthony_Chng@score.gov.sg
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