Iswaran Placed in 1-Person Cell Due to “Higher Safety & Security Risk”

By
Gowri Rajaratnam
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In a statement to CNA on Monday night (7 October), the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) confirmed that former transport minister S Iswaran will be placed in a 1-person cell for safety and security reasons. 

The former minister arrived at the State Courts around 3.30 pm on Monday afternoon to surrender to the start of his 12-month jail term. 

Dropped off by an unidentified male relative in a white Toyota Alphard, the former minister was greeted by the media but did not respond to questions or give any further statements to the public. Notably, his wife was not present at the scene. 

Iswaran’s bailor, his lawyers, and some supporters outside Court 4A were already waiting for his arrival. 

After a short wait in the courtroom, he was transported to Changi Prison in an SPS van. 

According to the SPS, after he turned himself in, “S Iswaran underwent safety, security and medical assessment, as per other inmates. As we assessed that there is a higher safety and security risk for S Iswaran to be housed with other inmates, we have housed him in a single-man cell.”  

This 1-person cell is 6.90 square metres and includes its own toilet facilities, a straw mat and two blankets for the inmate to sleep on.  

No Special Treatment

SPS assured the media that this isn’t special treatment and that all inmates in its custody are subject to the same prison rules and receive the same treatment. 

The process is the same for all incoming inmates. Upon arrival, their personal belongings are collected and documented for safekeeping. These belongings will either be returned to the inmates when their sentence is over or stored at a separate location for their family members to pick up. 

Any contraband, like drugs or weapons, is confiscated. Each inmate is then given a kit of basic necessities, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, clothes (white t-shirt and blue shorts), a towel and a single plastic spoon. 

SPS then conducts a medical exam and safety assessment. Based on this, the inmates are shuffled to the appropriate cell and correctional block. 

If no severe medical conditions or needs are found, the inmates are then sent to one of three cell types: 

  1. A single-person cell that is 6.90 square metres in size. 
  2. A four-person cell that is 10 square metres in size.
  3. An eight-person cell that is 20.29 square metres in size. 

If the inmate is disabled or has severe medical needs, a Prison Medical Officer will assess whether they need to be housed in an Assisted Living Correctional Unit or a Medical ward for further monitoring. 

Former Minister’s Prison Term

As in Iswaran’s case, for his own safety, the 62-year-old has been put in a single-person cell with only a straw mat for a bed. SPS confirmed to the media that mattresses will not be provided to the former minister.

Mattresses are only given to inmates who need additional support due to either disabilities or old age. 

While SPS has not confirmed which correctional unit he has been placed in, the spokesperson has said that Iswaran will have monitored access to an electronic tablet, e-learning resources, and e-books. He can send four emails a month and receive visitors twice a month. 

Iswaran might also be able to reduce his sentence due to good behaviour.  

Senior criminal defence lawyer Rajan Supramaniam told The Straits Times that he could be out as early as May 2025 or serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest.

To know more about his sentencing, watch this to the end:

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Gowri Rajaratnam