SINGAPORE: Almost nine in 10 Singaporeans can tell you what the Yellow Ribbon Project is all about, according to a public perception survey in 2007.

Speaking at a related conference, Law and Second Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that more Singaporeans can now identify the aims of the project.

The Yellow Ribbon Project was started in 2004, with an aim to systematically bring ex-offenders back into society.

Since then, 560 new employers have also registered to offer jobs for ex-offenders.

Mr Shanmugam explained that Singapore's Prisons Service recognises that without successful rehabilitation, the offender may simply return to a life of crime and continue to pose a threat to society.

Therefore, the Prisons Department needs to strike a right balance between rehabilitation and punishment.

As for inmates who have worked hard to be rehabilitated, Mr Shanmugam said they deserve a second chance from the community.

- CNA/yb