Yellow ribbon Singapore’s impact on inmate recidivism rates

Since the launch of the Yellow Ribbon Project in 2004 to encourage acceptance of ex-offenders in Singapore, surveys have found that Singaporeans are generally willing to foster or reconcile relationships with ex-offenders, and companies are open to hiring them. In turn, recidivism rates have lowered substantially. Nonetheless there are still ex-offenders who struggle with numerous hurdles and lack of social support in their reintegration journey. Without enough assistance, ex-offenders often find themselves isolated and destitute, and some begin to reconsider deviant activities. Meanwhile, modern society continues to evolve technologically. Automation and AI leave countless worried about their future employability. This includes a sizeable population of ex-offenders who, having received little education previously, might not be able to keep up without extra support. In recognition of pending and future challenges, SCORE, a statutory board set up within Singapore’s correctional system in 1976 to provide rehabilitation and aftercare services to inmates and ex-offenders, rebranded itself in May 2020 as Yellow Ribbon Singapore (YRSG), a vessel to unite and advance the Yellow Ribbon cause. Together with an extensive network of community and industrial stakeholders, YRSG aims to coordinate tailored support to ex-offenders and lower recidivism rates. Ultimately, the organisation hopes to empower ex-offenders to become agents of change, and inspire the public to build a more inclusive and cohesive society together, to go Beyond Second Chances.

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