Prisons Regulations

Prisons Act

(CHAPTER 247, Section 84)

Prisons Regulations

Rg 2

G.N. No. S 99/1939

REVISED EDITION 2002

(31st January 2002)

[13th January 1939]

PART I

PRELIMINARY

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Citation

1. These Regulations may be cited as the Prisons Regulations.

Definitions

2. In these Regulations —

“Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee”, in relation to a prison, means the Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee appointed for the prison under regulation 73A;

“legal adviser” means a regulated legal practitioner as defined in section 2(1) of the Legal Profession Act 1966;

“Prison Standing Orders” means the Prison Standing Orders issued by the Commissioner under section 21 of the Act.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

PART IA

COMMISSIONER

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Duties of Commissioner

3. The Commissioner must —

(a)

inspect, or direct the inspection of, every prison annually;

(b)

ensure that the following are complied with:

(i)	the Act;
(ii)	these Regulations;
(iii)	the Prisons (Prison Officers Reward Fund) Regulations (Rg 3);
(iv)	the Prisons (Lock-ups in Specified Court Houses) Regulations 2011 (G.N. No. S 595/2011);
(v)	the Prisons (Advisory Committees) Regulations 2014 (G.N. No. S 448/2014);
(vi)	the Prison Standing Orders; and

(c)

submit, or cause to be submitted, to the Minister as early as possible in each year, a report on the custody and rehabilitation of prisoners for the preceding year, giving statistics in any form that may be required.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Referral to Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee

4.—(1) If a Superintendent of a prison has —

(a)	ordered a prisoner to undergo corporal punishment under section 71(1)(a) of the Act; and
(b)	notified the Commissioner under section 71(2) of the Act of the facts of the case and the punishment imposed,

the Commissioner must refer the case to an Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee for the prison for its opinion on whether the punishment imposed on the prisoner is excessive.

(2) The Commissioner must consider the opinion of the Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee in making a decision under section 71(3) of the Act.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

PART II

SUPERINTENDENT

General duties of Superintendent

5.—(1) Without limiting section 24 of the Act or any other duties of the Superintendent in these Regulations, the Superintendent of a prison must —

(a)

ensure that the prison is administered in accordance with the Act, these Regulations and the Prison Standing Orders;

(b)

ensure that each prison staff complies with all written laws and the Prison Standing Orders, relating to a prisoner or the prison;

(c)

ensure that the prison is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition;

(d)

maintain —

(i)	the safety, security and good order of the prison; and
(ii)	the safety, security and discipline of any person in the prison; and

(e)

ensure the humane and fair treatment of every prisoner in the prison.

(2) In this regulation, “prison staff”, in relation to a prison, means any of the following persons who is deployed to the prison:

(a)	an auxiliary police officer;
(b)	a medical officer;
(c)	a prison officer;
(d)	a public officer;
(e)	any other person employed by or seconded to the Singapore Prison Service. [S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Inspection of prison

6.—(1) The Superintendent of a prison must, as far as practicable, inspect (or ensure that a person authorised by the Superintendent inspects) the prison daily (except on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday).

(2) The Superintendent of a prison or the person authorised by the Superintendent (as the case may be) must hear and deal with any request or complaint in relation to the prison or the treatment or safety of a prisoner in the prison, made by a prisoner during an inspection.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Complaints and requests

7. The Superintendent of a prison must —

(a)	ensure that every prisoner in the prison who wishes to make a complaint or request to a prison officer or a Visiting Justice is given a reasonable opportunity to do so; and
(b)	as soon as practicable, inquire into any complaint or request by a prisoner in the prison that is made, referred or reported to the Superintendent. [S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Security of prisoners’ cells

8. The Superintendent of a prison must ensure that prison officers regularly inspect the cells of prisoners in the prison to —

(a)	check the security of the cells and take appropriate measures to address any security risk identified; and
(b)	check for any unauthorised item, which must be removed from the cell. [S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Period when prisoners unlocked from cells

9.—(1) The Superintendent of a prison must determine the period during which a prisoner in the prison is unlocked from the prisoner’s cell.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), the Superintendent of the prison may determine different periods for different categories of prisoners.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Authorised visitors to prison

10.—(1) Subject to the orders of the Commissioner, the Superintendent of a prison may permit a person who has good reasons, to visit the prison at reasonable hours accompanied by a prison officer or an authorised auxiliary police officer.

(2) A visitor to a prison must not converse or communicate with a prisoner during the visit without the permission of the Superintendent of the prison.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Death or dangerous illness of prisoner

11.—(1) If a prisoner dies in a prison, the Superintendent of the prison must ensure that —

(a)

the death is, as soon as practicable, reported to —

(i)	the police;
(ii)	the Commissioner; and
(iii)	the most accessible known relative of the prisoner; and

(b)

the Chairperson of the Board of Visiting Justices is notified of the death of the prisoner.

(2) If a prisoner in a prison is dangerously ill, the Superintendent of the prison must, as soon as practicable, report this to the most accessible known relative of the prisoner.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Reports to Commissioner

12. The Superintendent of a prison must report to the Commissioner all escapes, serious assaults, attempts to escape or commit a serious assault, outbreaks of disease or any occurrences of an unusual or serious nature in the prison.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Duties of Superintendent in relation to Visiting Justice

13.—(1) The Superintendent of a prison must not accompany a Visiting Justice when the Visiting Justice is visiting the prison.

(2) The Superintendent of a prison must —

(a)	inform the Visiting Justice visiting the prison of any prisoner who has requested to see the Visiting Justice;
(b)	assist the Visiting Justice where necessary for the carrying out of the Visiting Justice’s duties; and
(c)	give the Visiting Justice full access to the prison and to every prisoner in the prison. [S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

14. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

15. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

16. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

17. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

PART III

[Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

PART IV

PRISON OFFICERS

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

General duties of prison officers

36.—(1) Every prison officer must —

(a)	comply with the regulations made under the Act and the Prison Standing Orders;
(b)	assist and support the Superintendent in maintaining order and discipline in the prison;
(c)	within the scope of the prison officer’s responsibilities, be firm in maintaining order and discipline in the prison;
(d)	refer any prisoner who appears from the prison officer’s observation to be physically or mentally unwell for medical observation; and
(e)	treat every prisoner humanely and fairly.

(2) A prison officer must promptly report to a superior officer any unlawful activity, misconduct, abuse or irregularity in the prison.

(3) A prison officer who receives a complaint or request from a prisoner must either deal with the matter raised as advised by a superior officer or report the matter to the Superintendent.

(4) If, from information received or otherwise, a prison officer has reason to suspect that an offence under section 81A(4) of the Act has been committed, it is the duty of the prison officer to investigate the offence.

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Unauthorised communications

37.—(1) No officer or person employed in the Prisons Department shall —

(a)	make any unauthorised communication concerning the prison or prisoners to any person; or
(b)	without authority, communicate to the public press information derived from official sources or connected with his duties or the prison.

(2) Any such communication by an officer or person without authority will be regarded as a breach of confidence and will render him liable to dismissal.

Use of force

38.—(1) A prison officer may use force as is necessary for the security and good order of the prison or for the safety and welfare of the prisoners or other persons in the prison.

(2) Where force is used on a prisoner —

(a)

the prisoner must, as soon as practicable, be brought to a medical officer —

(i)	to be examined for injury; and
(ii)	for any injury and other observations to be recorded; and

(b)

a report of the matter must be made to the Superintendent immediately.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Prohibited financial dealings

39.—(1) No prison officer shall receive any fee or gratuity, or have any money dealings whatever with, or on behalf of, any prisoner, or visitor to any prisoner.

(2) No officer shall borrow money from any person connected with a contract for the supply of food or other articles for the use of the prison.

(3) No officer shall —

(a)	directly or indirectly, have any interest in any contract or supply connected with the prison; or
(b)	under any pretence, receive any fee or gratuity from any person connected with any such contract or supply.

(4) Each officer will clearly understand that he is responsible for the acts of his family.

No testimonials or references

40. A prison officer must not write a testimonial or reference for a prisoner unless the Commissioner, or an officer authorised by the Commissioner, gives permission.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Firearms

41. Prison officers carrying firearms shall make themselves familiar with section 31 of the Act and shall be responsible for ensuring that those provisions are strictly followed in all circumstances.

42. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Responsibility for safe custody of prisoners

43.—(1) Prison officers shall be responsible for the safe custody of prisoners under their charge.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) Prison officers shall count the prisoners at least once every half hour, and —

(a)	on receiving charge of a party;
(b)	on giving over charge; and
(c)	on leaving any building or work. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(3) Prison officers shall not sit down or lounge during their term of duty, but shall always be alert and watchful, keeping their faces towards the prisoners under their charge.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(4) All prison officers, on being relieved from any particular duty or transferred to another part of the prison, shall point out to their successors all matters of special importance connected with their duties, and explain any directions of the superior officers affecting any particular prisoner.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Prison officers to be properly attired

44. Prison officers shall be properly dressed when on duty or in uniform and shall —

(a)	check all keys when handing or taking over and report immediately any defect;
(b)	see that no prison key is, under any circumstances, allowed to pass into the possession of any prisoner or other unauthorised person; and
(c)	keep such records of the work given out and the work performed by prisoners as may be required. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

45. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

No visitors

46. Prison officers shall not receive visitors in the prison.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

No authority to punish

47. No prison officer is to punish a prisoner except when ordered to do so.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

48. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Prison officers to enter cells in pairs

49. No prison officer shall enter a prisoner’s cell at night without being accompanied by another officer except in cases of imperative necessity; and in such circumstances he shall make an immediate report to the senior officer-in-charge of the prison and shall further make a written report to the Superintendent as soon as possible.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

50. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Behaviour of prison officers towards prisoners

51.—(1) No prison officer shall unnecessarily converse with a prisoner, nor shall he by word, gesture, or demeanour, do anything which may tend to irritate a prisoner.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) No prison officer shall allow any familiarity on the part of prisoners towards himself or any other officer of the prison, nor shall he on any account speak of his duties, or of any matters of discipline or prison arrangement within hearing of the prisoners.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(3) No prison officer shall correspond with or communicate with the friends or relations of any prisoner nor with any ex-prisoner unless expressly authorised by the Superintendent.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Postings

52. Any prison officer on entering the prison service may be employed in any part of Singapore, wheresoever it may seem fit to the Commissioner to employ him.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Prison officers to live in quarters

53.—(1) All prison officers shall live in such quarters as may be assigned to them. They shall not sleep out of such quarters without permission of the Superintendent.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) No prison officer shall permit any person, not being a regular member of his family, to remain for the night in his quarters without the permission of the Superintendent.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

54. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Disciplinary officers

55. Any prison officer, who is guilty of improper language or behaviour in the Warders’ Club or in any other building provided by the Government for the use or occupation of persons employed in the prison, shall be liable to be punished by the Superintendent in the same manner and to the same extent as for a breach of prison discipline.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

PART V

[Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

PART VI

MEDICAL OFFICER

Duties of medical officer

60.—(1) A medical officer of a prison must —

(a)	keep proper medical records of every prisoner;
(b)	ensure that every prisoner who is sick, or complains of being sick, is given adequate medical treatment and is placed under such medical observation as the medical officer considers necessary;
(c)	direct any modifications of labour, diet and punishment in any particular case as the medical officer considers necessary; and
(d)	perform all duties of a medical officer under the Act and these Regulations.

(2) Where a medical officer considers it necessary to inform the Superintendent of a prisoner’s medical condition, the medical officer —

(a)	must make a report to the Superintendent; and
(b)	may make any recommendations for the modification of labour, diet, punishment or treatment of the prisoner, or the supply of additional articles to the prisoner, as the medical officer considers necessary. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

61. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

62. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

63. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Reports to Superintendent

64.—(1) The medical officer shall report to the Superintendent the case of any prisoner whose mind appears to be, or is likely to be injuriously affected, and give such directions in the case as he may think proper, with special reference to the use of observation cells, when such are available.

(2) The medical officer shall frequently examine the food of the prisoners, cooked and uncooked, and shall report in writing to the Superintendent as to the quality of the provisions and also as to the sufficiency of clothing and bedding and any deficiency in the quality or quantity of the water or any other matter which may affect the health of the prisoners.

Hygiene

65.—(1) The medical officer shall give written directions for separating prisoners having infectious complaints, or suspected of having them, and for cleaning, disinfecting or destroying any infected apparel or bedding.

(2) The medical officer shall give explicit directions for the disinfection of every cell or ward recently occupied by prisoners suffering from infectious or contagious disease.

Medical officer to report terminally ill or unfit prisoners

66.—(1) A medical officer must make a report to the Superintendent if the medical officer considers that —

(a)	a prisoner will not survive the prisoner’s imprisonment because of any illness or disease; or
(b)	a prisoner is totally and permanently unfit for prison life and discipline.

(2) The Superintendent must forward the report to the Commissioner, and the Commissioner, upon receiving the report, may refer the prisoner’s case to the External Placement Review Board under regulation 151L.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Inspection for sanitary purposes

67. At least once in every 3 months the medical officer shall inspect every part of the prison, and shall make a report in writing to the Commissioner for transmission to the Minister, upon the sanitary state of the prison, the health of the prisoners, and the adequacy and proper cooking of the diets.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Death

68. In the event of the death of any prisoner, other than death by execution, the medical officer must ensure that all relevant information relating to the prisoner’s death is entered into the medical record of the prisoner.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Assistance for medical officer

69. The Superintendent will place at the disposal of the medical officer as many well conducted prisoners who can safely be entrusted with the duty of attending upon the sick as he may consider necessary.

Report to Superintendent of irregularity in hospital

70. The medical officer shall report to the Superintendent in writing any irregularity in the prison hospital which may come to his knowledge, or any difficulty or obstruction which he may meet with in the performance of his duty.

Disciplinary duties of medical officer

71. The medical officer shall conform to the regulations of the prison, and shall support the Superintendent in the maintenance of discipline and order and the safe custody of the prisoners.

PART VII

VISITING JUSTICES

72. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Visiting Justices

73.—(1) A Visiting Justice appointed under section 79(1) of the Act must —

(a)	visit every prison once a month; and
(b)	be given full access to every part of the prison and to every prisoner.

(2) On every visit to a prison, a Visiting Justice must hear any request, complaint or appeal that any prisoner in the prison wishes to make to the Visiting Justice.

(3) After visiting a prison, a Visiting Justice must make a record of —

(a)	the date and time of the visit;
(b)	the complaints, requests and appeals heard by the Visiting Justice;
(c)	any punishment given by the Visiting Justice; and
(d)	any observation, suggestion or recommendation that the Visiting Justice wishes to make.

(4) Every record mentioned in paragraph (3) must be sent to the Commissioner and the Minister for their inspection as soon as practicable.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

PART VIIA

INSTITUTIONAL DISCIPLINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

[S 455/2008 wef 15/09/2008]

Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee

73A.—(1) The Minister may appoint one or more Institutional Discipline Advisory Committees for one or more prisons.

(2) An Institutional Discipline Advisory Committee must —

(a)	consider any case that the Commissioner refers to it under regulation 4(1); and
(b)	provide an opinion to the Commissioner on whether any corporal punishment imposed under section 71(1)(a) of the Act is excessive. [S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

73B. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

PART VIII

PRISONERS

Admission of Prisoners

Records to be kept upon admission and searches

74.—(1) A record of each prisoner must be created on admission and kept updated.

(2) A prisoner’s record must contain the following information:

(a)	the prisoner’s name;
(b)	the prisoner’s identification number;
(c)	a photograph of the prisoner;
(d)	the prisoner’s fingerprints and any of the prisoner’s physiological data necessary for identifying or authenticating the identity of the prisoner using a biometric authenticating system;
(e)	any other information about the prisoner that the Commissioner may require.

(3) Every prisoner must be searched on admission and whenever a prison officer reasonably suspects that the prisoner has any prohibited article in the prisoner’s possession.

(4) The following procedures apply to any search mentioned in paragraph (3):

(a)	a prison officer searching a prisoner may use any equipment that is approved by the Commissioner;
(b)	a female prisoner must only be searched by a female prison officer;
(c)	any article or document found on a prisoner must, if the prisoner is not allowed to keep it, be taken from the prisoner and be inventoried;
(d)	every article or document taken from a prisoner upon admission must be kept in storage or returned to the prisoner’s family, unless it is of a perishable or dangerous nature, then it may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Examination by medical officer upon admission

74A.—(1) A prisoner must be examined by a medical officer as soon as possible after admission.

(2) The medical officer examining a prisoner must record the state of health of the prisoner and any other particulars that the medical officer considers necessary.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Examination of prisoners for infectious diseases

75.—(1) The Commissioner may, at any time, require any prisoner to undergo a medical examination by the medical officer for the purposes of ascertaining whether the prisoner is suffering from, or is a carrier of, any infectious disease.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

(2) Where a prisoner refuses to undergo the medical examination under paragraph (1) or refuses to provide any sample necessary for the purposes of such examination, the medical officer shall forthwith give a written notification to the Superintendent.

(3) The Superintendent may, upon receipt of the written notification under paragraph (2), direct that the prisoner be detained separately from other prisoners until such time when the prisoner undergoes the required medical examination.

(4) Where a prisoner has been ascertained to be suffering from, or is a carrier of, any infectious disease under this regulation, the medical officer shall forthwith give a written report to the Superintendent.

(5) The Superintendent may, upon receipt of the written report by the medical officer under paragraph (4), direct that the prisoner be detained separately from other prisoners until the medical officer certifies that the prisoner is free from infection or the risk of spreading the infectious disease to other persons is eliminated.

(6) [Deleted by S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Confidentiality in handling of prisoners with AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease

76. Where, in consequence of any action taken under regulation 75, any person is aware or has reasonable grounds for believing that a prisoner has Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or is infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or is suffering from a sexually transmitted disease or is a carrier of that disease, the person shall not disclose any information which may identify the prisoner except —

(a)	with the consent of the prisoner;
(b)	in accordance with regulation 75;
(c)	when ordered to do so by a court;
(d)	to any person who is treating, caring or handling the prisoner;
(e)	to the victim of a sexual assault by the prisoner; or
(f)	where such disclosure is allowed under section 25 of the Infectious Diseases Act 1976. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

77. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Standard of grooming for prisoners

78.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), a prisoner must comply with the standard of grooming that is applicable to the prisoner, as specified in the Prison Standing Orders.

(2) To avoid doubt, the standard of grooming that is applicable to a prisoner under paragraph (1) includes any applicable modification approved on the ground of a religious practice, as specified in the Prison Standing Orders.

(3) The Superintendent of a prison may allow a prisoner in the prison to shave or have the prisoner’s hair cut despite any modification to the standard of grooming mentioned in paragraph (2) that is applicable to the prisoner.

[S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Separation of prisoners

79.—(1) Male and female prisoners must be kept separate from one another.

(2) The Commissioner may separate prisoners into different categories to be subject to different regimes to facilitate the rehabilitation of prisoners and the maintenance of good order and discipline in the prison.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Separate cells

80. Every male prisoner shall, if the accommodation of the prison permits, be confined at night in a separate cell duly certified as sufficient to contain one prisoner.

81. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Treatment of female prisoners

82.—(1) A male person (including a male prison officer) must not attend to, or otherwise be in a room with, a female prisoner unless he is accompanied by a female person who is not a prisoner.

(2) However, in the event of an emergency, a male person (including a male prison officer) may attend to, or otherwise be in a room with, a female prisoner, to respond to the emergency if he is, as far as is reasonably practicable, accompanied by another prison officer.

(3) Where any male person (including a male prison officer) attends to, or must otherwise be in a room with, a female prisoner in accordance with paragraph (2), he must make a report of the incident to the Superintendent as soon as possible.

(4) In this regulation, “emergency” means an actual or imminent event that causes, or threatens to cause —

(a)	any harm or danger to the life, health or safety of any female prisoner; or
(b)	any destruction of, or danger to, any property. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Prostitutes

83. Female prisoners shall be classified, as far as possible, and known prostitutes shall be kept in a separate ward by themselves.

84. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Child born during imprisonment

85.—(1) The Commissioner may allow a child born to a female prisoner during her imprisonment to stay with the prisoner if the Commissioner considers this to be in the child’s best interests, having regard to the female prisoner’s fitness to care for the child.

(2) Otherwise, a child born to a female prisoner must be placed under alternative care outside of prison as soon as practicable.

(3) A child allowed to stay with a female prisoner under paragraph (1) must be provided with basic necessities, adequate nutrition and healthcare.

(4) The female prisoner is responsible for the safety and care of the child while the child stays with her.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Confinement of prisoners below 15 years of age

86.—(1) Prisoners considered to be below 15 years of age, whether male or female, shall be kept apart from adults, being, if possible, confined in separate buildings.

(2) Any prisoner who declares himself to be more than 15 years of age but who, in the opinion of the Superintendent and the medical officer, should not, having regard to his character, constitution and antecedents, be classed with adult prisoners shall be treated as a juvenile offender.

87. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

88. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

89. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

90. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

91. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Military prisoners

92. Soldiers convicted of breaches of military discipline only, shall so far as may be practicable having regard to the prison accommodation and the circumstances of the case, be kept separate and distinct from prisoners convicted of offences of an immoral, dishonest, shameful or criminal character.

Photographs and finger impressions

93.—(1) Every prisoner may, if required for the purposes of justice, be photographed on reception and subsequently, but no copy of the photograph shall be given to any person unless he is officially authorised to receive it.

(2) The finger impressions of every prisoner may also be taken.

(3) When the conviction in consequence of which a prisoner has been imprisoned is reversed on appeal and the prisoner is ordered to be acquitted and discharged the Superintendent shall, on the application of the person who was so imprisoned, deliver to that person the sheet upon which his finger impressions were taken together with all photographs taken of him (both negatives and prints) in connection with his reception into prison in consequence of the conviction which has been reversed on appeal.

(4) If no such application shall have been received by him within 3 months from the date of the order of acquittal and discharge, the Superintendent shall destroy such sheet and photographs.

(5) The reversal on appeal of a conviction shall not necessitate the return to the person who had been imprisoned on that conviction of any record of finger impressions or of any photographs taken in connection with any other conviction of that person.

Discharge of Prisoners

Examination before discharge

94.—(1) All convicted prisoners prior to being discharged or to being removed to any other prison, shall be examined by the medical officer.

(2) A similar examination shall be made of all vagrants immediately before the date of deportation.

[S 332/2025 wef 30/05/2025]

Prisoners suffering from acute or dangerous disease

95. No prisoner shall be discharged, except upon his own requisition, whilst suffering from any acute or dangerous disease until the medical officer shall certify that such discharge is safe.

Upon discharge prisoners to receive own clothing

96.—(1) On the discharge of a prisoner his own clothes shall be returned to him, unless it has been found necessary to destroy them, in which case he shall be provided with such clothing as the Superintendent considers suitable.

(2) The prison clothing shall be well washed, disinfected and dried before being returned to store or issued to another prisoner.

Date of release

97. If a prisoner is entitled to be released on a Sunday or a public holiday, the prisoner must be released on the preceding day.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Punishments

98. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Maximum forfeiture of remission

99. The maximum periods of forfeiture of remission which may be ordered under the following sections of the Act shall be as follows:

(a)	section 70(1)(b)

7 days

(b)	section 71(1)(c)

60 days

(c)	section 71(4)

90 days

(d)	section 74(2)(c)

180 days.

Lapsing of order of forfeiture of remission

99A. Any order of forfeiture of remission made in respect of a prisoner remanded for an offence is to be treated as lapsed upon the prisoner’s release from remand, even if the prisoner is subsequently sentenced to imprisonment for the offence.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Maximum reduction in grade or postponement of promotion

100. The maximum periods of reduction in grade or postponement of promotion which may be ordered under the following sections of the Act shall be as follows:

(a)	section 70(1)(c)

30 days

(b)	section 71(1)(d)

60 days.

Miscellaneous

101. [Deleted by S 198/2025 wef 01/04/2025]

Maximum daily hours of work

102. A prisoner who is allowed to work under section 67 of the Act may not work in a prison for more than 8 hours a day unless the prisoner consents to do so.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

103. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Visits by police

104.—(1) On production of an order from an Assistant Superintendent of Police or from a Magistrate, any police officer may, at any reasonable time, visit any prison for the following purposes:

(a)	identifying offenders;
(b)	photographing and taking particulars of prisoners who have been directed to be subject to the supervision of the police; and
(c)	taking statements from prisoners considered necessary for any investigation under Part 4 of the Criminal Procedure Code 2010. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022] [S 332/2025 wef 30/05/2025]

(2) Officers of the law with competent Warrants or Orders for serving writs or other legal process on persons within the prison shall be admitted into the prisons at any reasonable time for that purpose.

Health

Observation of prisoners awaiting trial on capital charges

105. The Superintendent must ensure that every prisoner awaiting trial on capital charges is kept under close observation on the prisoner’s mental and physical condition.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Clothing of prisoners

106.—(1) The clothes of the prisoners and their bed-clothes shall be aired, changed and washed as often as the medical officer may direct.

(2) The clothes of prisoners shall be changed weekly.

Time out of accommodation

107.—(1) Subject to the need to maintain good order and discipline in the prison and paragraph (2), every prisoner is to be given the opportunity to spend time out of the prisoner’s cell and for such period as may be allowed or specified by the Superintendent.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to any prisoner —

(a)	who is confined in a punishment cell; or
(b)	who is subject to a regime by the Commissioner under regulation 79(2) where time out of the prisoner’s cell is restricted,

unless the medical officer of the prison certifies that it is necessary for the prisoner’s health that the prisoner be given such opportunity.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Infirmary

108. A proper room, or infirmary shall be set apart for sick prisoners, the separation between males and female, juveniles and adults, being strictly maintained.

Vaccinations

109. All prisoners may be vaccinated or re-vaccinated at the discretion of the medical officer.

Food

Meals

110. Every prisoner must be provided with regular meals that are —

(a)	in terms of nutritional value, adequate for the basic health of the prisoner, taking into account the prisoner’s daily energy requirements; and
(b)	appropriate for the prisoner’s medical condition, in accordance with the directions of the medical officer. [S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

111. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

112. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

113. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Instruction and Recreation

Religious observances

114.—(1) The holding of religious services for prisoners must be consistent with prison discipline and security.

(2) Ministers of religion may be allowed in every facility consistent with prison discipline and security to visit prisoners.

(3) Without limiting paragraph (1), a Muslim prisoner is allowed to observe the fast of Ramadan, subject to any medical considerations.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Reading material and recreation

115.—(1) A prisoner must not receive or keep any reading material unless allowed by the Superintendent.

(2) The Superintendent may confiscate any reading material with objectionable content.

(3) The Superintendent may allow recreation for the prisoners, subject to the considerations of discipline and good order.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

116. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

117. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

118. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

119. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

120. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

121. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

122. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

123. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

124. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

125. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

126. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Letters and Visits

Letters and visits

127.—(1) A prisoner has the privilege of sending and receiving letters every month, in accordance with the conditions specified in the Prison Standing Orders, for purposes of maintaining ties with the prisoner’s family and friends.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a prisoner has the privilege of receiving visits by such individuals, at such frequency and on such conditions, as allowed or specified in the Prison Standing Orders.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

(3) A prisoner who is ordered to be removed from Singapore under the Immigration Act 1959 and detained pending removal must not receive a visit without the Superintendent’s permission.

[S 332/2025 wef 30/05/2025]

(4) The Superintendent may authorise any prisoner whose conduct and industry has been excellent, to receive visitors in a room provided for the purpose, and not within the normal visiting cubicles.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

(5) A prison officer shall supervise this visiting room.

(6) [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

(7) So far as is practicable and is in the opinion of the Superintendent desirable, a prisoner shall be encouraged and assisted to maintain or establish such relations with persons or agencies outside the prison as may promote the best interests of the prisoner’s family or his social rehabilitation.

(8) The Superintendent may at any time communicate to a prisoner or to his family or friends, any matter of importance to such prisoner.

(9) A prisoner shall be allowed to write one letter to inform a relative or a friend of his transfer to another prison.

(10) No other visits or communications shall be permitted except as hereafter specially provided, without the order in writing of the Minister or the Commissioner.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Screening and recording of letters

127A.—(1) Every letter sent by or to a prisoner may be opened and read by a prison officer.

(2) A copy may be made of every letter sent by or to a prisoner.

(3) A letter sent by or to a prisoner may be withheld if it contains anything that affects the security or good order of the prison.

(4) Paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply to letters written by a prisoner to the prisoner’s legal adviser and letters written by a prisoner’s legal adviser.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Access to counsel

127B.—(1) A prisoner represented by a legal adviser may, for the purposes in paragraph (2) —

(a)	be visited by the legal adviser at reasonable times during working days; and
(b)	write letters to and receive letters from the legal adviser.

(2) The purposes mentioned in paragraph (1) are as follows:

(a)	preparing for criminal proceedings in which the prisoner is an accused person;
(b)	such other purposes as the Superintendent may allow. [S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Prison officer present at visits

128. A prison officer shall be present during the whole or every such visit.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Visitors may be searched

129.—(1) Every visitor to a prisoner must provide the prison officer conducting the visit with his or her personal particulars necessary for the verification of the visitor’s identity.

(2) Any visitor to a prisoner may be searched by a prison officer or an authorised auxiliary police officer, and the search —

(a)	must not take place in the presence of any prisoner or of another visitor;
(b)	must be conducted with due regard to decency; and
(c)	if the visitor is female, must be carried out by a female prison officer or female authorised auxiliary police officer.

(3) A prison officer or an authorised auxiliary police officer conducting a search mentioned in paragraph (2) may impound any article found during the search if the officer is of the opinion that the article —

(a)	is prohibited under the Act, any regulations made under the Act, or the Prison Standing Orders;
(b)	is likely to be dangerous to the health or life of any prisoner; or
(c)	is likely to facilitate any prisoner’s escape from the prison.

(4) A visitor may be refused entry to a prison if —

(a)	the visitor refuses to be searched by a prison officer or an authorised auxiliary police officer; or
(b)	the prison officer conducting the visit, or an authorised auxiliary police officer, is of the opinion that the entry of the visitor would be prejudicial to the security or good order of the prison.

(5) Where a visitor is refused entry under paragraph (4), the prison officer conducting the visit or authorised auxiliary police officer (as the case may be) must record the grounds of refusal in a report to the Superintendent.

(6) In this regulation, “authorised auxiliary police officer” means an auxiliary police officer employed by the Commissioner for the purposes of this regulation.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Visitor barred from visiting prisoner

130.—(1) The Superintendent may prohibit visits by a visitor to a prison or a prisoner in a prison for any period of time as the Superintendent considers necessary if the visitor has —

(a)

insulted, intimidated, threatened or harassed any prison officer, auxiliary police officer, or any other person working in the prison, in relation to the execution of the duty of the officer or person; or

(b)

otherwise engaged in any conduct that, in the opinion of the Superintendent, may —

(i)	have a detrimental influence or effect on a prisoner; or
(ii)	affect the security or good order of the prison, or the security or safety of a prisoner or any other person.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to —

(a)	any visits to a prison or prisoner by a Visiting Justice; or
(b)	any visits by a prisoner’s legal adviser mentioned in regulation 127B(1)(a). [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

130. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Additional visits and letters

131. The Superintendent may, in his discretion, permit additional visits or letters under circumstances which in his opinion warrant special consideration.

Forfeiture of letters and visits for misconduct

132. The privilege of writing and receiving letters and of receiving visits may be postponed or forfeited at any time for misconduct at the discretion of the Superintendent.

Petition to President

133.—(1) All prisoners may petition the President on the subject of their conviction or sentence once shortly after conviction if they wish, but not afterwards, unless —

(a)	there are any special circumstances which the Superintendent may consider should be brought to the notice of the President; or
(b)	such prisoner has been over one year in prison and not less than one year has elapsed since the date of his last petition.

(2) All prisoners may petition the President on any other subject at any time, provided that no petition shall be permitted if a reply to a previous petition on the same subject is still outstanding.

Behaviour of Prisoners

Unauthorised communications

134. No prisoner shall hold any sort of unauthorised communication with any person.

Permitted articles only

135. No prisoner shall have in his possession any article not expressly allowed by the Commissioner.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

136. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Restraint of Refractory Prisoners

Use of restraints on prisoners

137.—(1) A prison officer must not use a restraint on a prisoner unless authorised under this regulation.

(2) A prison officer may use a restraint on a prisoner only if all the following conditions are met:

(a)	the use of the restraint is necessary to prevent the prisoner from causing self‑injury, injuring others, or escaping;
(b)	the restraint is of a type approved under the Prison Standing Orders;
(c)	the restraint is used in a way approved under the Prison Standing Orders;
(d)	the restraint is removed immediately once it is no longer necessary.

(3) To avoid doubt, a prison officer may not use a restraint on a prisoner as punishment.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

138. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Corporal Punishment

Corporal punishment

139.—(1) This regulation applies to sentences of corporal punishment passed under section 71(1)(a) or 74(2)(b) of the Act.

(2) The sentence of corporal punishment must not be carried out within 24 hours of the sentence being imposed, unless the Commissioner considers it necessary.

(3) Corporal punishment cannot be carried out in instalments.

(4) The Superintendent and medical officer must be present when corporal punishment is being carried out.

(5) A rattan is to be used for all corporal punishment.

(6) Any punishment with the rattan is to be inflicted in the following manner:

(a)	in the case of an adult prisoner — on his buttocks using a rattan that is no more than 1.25 centimetres in diameter;
(b)	in the case of a juvenile prisoner — on his buttocks using a light rattan.

(7) The medical officer may give directions for preventing injury to other parts of the prisoner’s body as the medical officer considers necessary.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Confinement in cells

140. Prisoners sentenced to confinement in cells for breaches of prison discipline shall —

(a)	see no one, save the officers of the prison in the execution of their duty, a minister of religion and the medical officer; and
(b)	only have such outdoor exercise as the latter certifies is absolutely necessary for health.

Maximum period

141. Such confinement shall not exceed an aggregate of more than 90 days in a year for any one prisoner, and the execution of any 2 consecutive sentences shall be separated by a period not shorter than the longer of such sentences.

Medical examination of prisoners sentenced to punishment

142. Every prisoner ordered to undergo corporal punishment or confinement in a punishment cell under section 70, 71 or 74 of the Act must be examined by a medical officer to ascertain the prisoner’s fitness to undergo such punishment or confinement.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Special clothing and bedding

143. Prisoners undergoing punishment shall be supplied with such clothing and bedding as may be certified as essential by the medical officer.

Prisoners to be given opportunity of defence before punishment

144. No prisoner shall be punished until he has had an opportunity of hearing the charges and evidence against him and of making his defence.

145. [Deleted by S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

146. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

147. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

148. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

149. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

150. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

151. [Deleted by S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

PART VIIIA

REMISSION OF SENTENCES

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Division 1 — Review of life sentences, etc.

Application

151A. Regulation 151B applies to a prisoner to whom Division 3 of Part 5B of the Act applies.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Referral to Life Imprisonment Review Board

151B.—(1) There shall be a Life Imprisonment Review Board for one or more prisons, or more than one Life Imprisonment Review Board for one prison, to consider whether the Minister should direct the Commissioner to make a remission order in respect of a prisoner of that prison or any one of those prisons referred to it under paragraph (2), and to make a recommendation in that regard and on any other matter in relation to a remission order for the Minister’s decision.

(2) Before the date on which the Minister would be required to review (or further review) a prisoner’s case under section 50P of the Act, the Commissioner must refer the prisoner’s case to a Life Imprisonment Review Board.

(3) A Life Imprisonment Review Board must make its recommendation under paragraph (1) before the date on which the Minister would be required to review (or further review) the prisoner’s case under section 50P of the Act.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Division 2 — Review of long sentences

Application

151C. Regulation 151D applies to a prisoner who, on 1st July 2014, has served 20 years of his sentence or more.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Referral to Long Imprisonment Review Board

151D.—(1) There shall be a Long Imprisonment Review Board for one or more prisons, or more than one Long Imprisonment Review Board for one prison, to consider whether the Minister should direct the Commissioner to make a remission order in respect of a prisoner of that prison or any one of those prisons referred to it under paragraph (2), and to make a recommendation in that regard and on any other matter in relation to a remission order for the Minister’s decision.

(2) Before the date on which the Minister would be required to review (or further review) a prisoner’s case under section 50J of the Act, the Commissioner must refer the prisoner’s case to a Long Imprisonment Review Board.

(3) A Long Imprisonment Review Board must make its recommendation under paragraph (1) before the date on which the Minister would be required to review (or further review) the prisoner’s case under section 50J of the Act.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Division 3 — Mandatory aftercare scheme

Application

151E. Regulations 151F, 151G and 151H apply to —

(a)	a person to whom Division 5 of Part 5B of the Act applies; and [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]
(b)	a person to whom Division 5 of Part 5B of the Act would apply if he were released on a remission order. [S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014] [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Referral to Mandatory Aftercare Advisory Committee

151F.—(1) There shall be a Mandatory Aftercare Advisory Committee for one or more prisons, or more than one Mandatory Aftercare Advisory Committee for one prison, to make a recommendation to the Commissioner, in respect of a person of that prison or any one of those prisons, on any one or more of the following matters referred to the Committee by the Commissioner:

(a)	whether the Commissioner should impose mandatory aftercare conditions on the person under section 50V of the Act;
(b)	the type of mandatory aftercare conditions to be imposed on the person and the duration for which they are to be imposed;
(c)	whether the Commissioner should vary, cancel or add to any mandatory aftercare conditions imposed;
(d)	whether the Commissioner should extend or reduce the period for which the person is subject to the mandatory aftercare conditions;
(e)	whether the Commissioner should waive, in any particular case, any of the mandatory aftercare conditions imposed;
(f)	any other matter relating to the mandatory aftercare scheme established under Division 5 of Part 5B of the Act. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) A Mandatory Aftercare Advisory Committee must consider the matters referred to it, having regard to the factors in regulation 151G, before making its recommendation to the Commissioner.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Factors to be considered in imposing mandatory aftercare conditions

151G. The Commissioner must consider the following factors when exercising his powers under section 50V of the Act in relation to any person to whom this regulation applies:

(a)	the person’s progress and response to rehabilitation in prison and (where relevant) while on remission;
(b)	the person’s family support;
(c)	the person’s risk of recidivism;
(d)	the person’s latest offence and his antecedents;
(e)	all other relevant factors. [S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Serious and minor breaches of mandatory aftercare conditions

151H.—(1) The following shall be serious breaches of mandatory aftercare conditions for the purposes of section 50Y of the Act:

(a)	where as a result of one or more breaches of section 50V(3)(c) of the Act, the person fails, for a cumulative period of 24 hours, to remain indoors in accordance with that section;
(b)	every breach of the mandatory aftercare condition in section 50V(3)(e)(i) of the Act;
(c)	every breach of the mandatory aftercare condition in section 50V(3)(e)(v) of the Act;
(d)	every breach of the mandatory aftercare condition in section 50V(3)(f) of the Act;
(e)	the sixth and every subsequent breach of any mandatory aftercare condition other than the mandatory aftercare condition referred to in sub-paragraph (b), (c) or (d).

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(e), it is immaterial whether the first 5 breaches, and the subsequent breaches, are of the same mandatory aftercare condition or of different mandatory aftercare conditions.

(3) For the purposes of section 50X of the Act, any breach of a mandatory aftercare condition that is not a serious breach of a mandatory aftercare condition is a minor breach of a mandatory aftercare condition.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Service of notice of variation of mandatory aftercare conditions, etc.

151HA.—(1) For the purposes of section 50V(5)(b) of the Act, a written notice under section 50V(4) of the Act may also be served by any of the following means:

(a)	by addressing it to that person and delivering it at that person’s last known residential address to an adult person who is a member of that person’s family;
(b)	by sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to that person at that person’s last known residential address;
(c)	by addressing it to that person and sending it by fax to that person’s last known fax number;
(d)	by addressing it to that person, and sending it to an email address or a digital mobile telephone number specified by that person in accordance with paragraph (2);
(e)	by leaving it at that person’s last known residential address if service cannot be effected under sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).

(2) The notice may be served in a manner specified in paragraph (1)(d) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	the person to whom the notice is to be served gives that person’s prior written consent for the notice to be served in that manner;
(b)	that person specifies, in that written consent, the email address or digital mobile telephone number to which the notice is to be sent. [S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Division 4 — General provisions

Remission system to be explained upon admission and release under remission order

151I.—(1) When a prisoner is admitted to prison or released under a remission order, the provisions for the remission of sentences in Part 5B of the Act (including the basic condition of a remission order and the mandatory aftercare scheme) must, so far as they apply to the prisoner, be explained to him.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) When any time spent by a prisoner serving his sentence is not reckonable for the purposes of the making of a remission order under section 50I of the Act, this must be explained to the prisoner.

(3) When a prisoner is punished with forfeiture of remission for any reason, the prisoner must be fully informed of this.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Confinement and forfeiture during remand to be non-reckonable for purposes of remission order

151IA.—(1) This regulation applies to a prisoner —

(a)	to whom Division 2 or 7 of Part 5B of the Act applies; [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]
(b)	who was imprisoned for a period immediately before being sentenced to imprisonment (and not released during that period); and
(c)	who was punished with confinement in a punishment cell or forfeiture of remission under the Act during that period.

(2) The following periods are not reckonable for the purposes of section 50I(1) of the Act:

(a)	one-third of the time which the prisoner is confined in a punishment cell under paragraph (1)(c);
(b)	the forfeiture of remission under paragraph (1)(c).

(3) Nothing in this regulation applies to any confinement in a punishment cell or forfeiture of remission that is imposed for a prison offence committed before 1 September 2018.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Record of remission and related matters

151J.—(1) A record of remission shall be kept for every prisoner, in accordance with this regulation, except a prisoner committed for debt.

(2) The record of remission for a prisoner to whom Division 2 of Part 5B or section 50ZE of the Act applies shall contain the following information:

(a)

the latest possible date of release;

(b)

the periods that are not reckonable for the purposes of a remission order under section 50I of the Act;

(c)

the earliest possible date on which a remission order must be made under section 50I of the Act;

(d)

if the prisoner’s sentence exceeds 20 years —

(i)	the date on which the prisoner would have served 20 years of his sentence if he were not earlier released; or
(ii)	if he has served 20 years of his sentence, the Minister’s decision or decisions after reviewing the prisoner’s case under section 50J of the Act;

(e)

if a remission order is made in respect of the prisoner —

(i)	the remainder of the prisoner’s sentence as determined under section 50K, or 50ZE(3) and (5) of the Act, as the case may be;
(ii)	the duration of the remission order under section 50L, or section 50ZE(2), (3) and (5) of the Act, as the case may be;
(iii)	any extension of the remission order under section 50M, 50N or 50ZE(2) of the Act, as the case may be; and
(iv)	any breach of the basic condition of the remission order and the length of any enhanced sentence imposed under section 50T of the Act for that breach. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(3) The record of remission for a prisoner to whom Division 3 of Part 5B of the Act applies shall contain all of the following information:

(a)	the date on which the prisoner would have served 20 years of his sentence;
(b)	if he has served 20 years of his sentence, the Minister’s decision or decisions after reviewing the prisoner’s case under section 50P of the Act;
(c)	if a remission order is made in respect of the prisoner, any breach of the basic condition of the remission order and the length of any enhanced sentence ordered under section 50T of the Act for that breach. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(4) The record of remission for a prisoner to whom Division 6 of Part 5B or section 50ZD of the Act applies shall contain the following information:

(a)

the latest possible date of release;

(b)

the periods that are not reckonable for the remission of the prisoner’s sentence under section 50I or 50ZD of the Act;

(c)

the earliest possible date on which the prisoner’s sentence would be remitted under section 50ZB or 50ZD of the Act;

(d)

if the prisoner’s sentence exceeds 20 years —

(i)	the date on which the prisoner would have served 20 years of his sentence if he were not earlier released; or
(ii)	if he has served 20 years of his sentence, the Minister’s decision or decisions after reviewing the prisoner’s case under section 50ZD(4) or (5) of the Act;

(e)

if a remission order is made in respect of the prisoner —

(i)	the remainder of the prisoner’s sentence as determined under section 50ZD(6) of the Act;
(ii)	the duration of the remission order under section 50L and 50ZD(6) and (7) of the Act;
(iii)	any extension of the remission order under section 50M or 50N, and section 50ZD(6) of the Act; and
(iv)	any breach of the basic condition of the remission order and the length of any enhanced sentence imposed under section 50T of the Act for that breach. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(5) The record of remission for a person who is required by the Commissioner to comply with mandatory aftercare conditions under section 50V of the Act shall contain, in addition to all of the information referred to in paragraph (2), (3) or (4), all of the following information:

(a)	the mandatory aftercare conditions that are imposed on the person;
(b)	any minor breach of a mandatory aftercare condition and any punishment imposed by the Commissioner under section 50X of the Act for that breach;
(c)	any serious breach of a mandatory aftercare condition and the duration of any sentence imposed under section 50Y of the Act for that breach;

(6) Any period of time to be recorded under this regulation shall be recorded in whole days.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Service of notice of recall

151JA.—(1) For the purposes of section 50X(3)(a)(ii) of the Act, a notice of recall under section 50X(2) of the Act may also be served on a person by any of the following means:

(a)	by addressing it to that person and delivering it at that person’s last known residential address to an adult person who is a member of that person’s family;
(b)	by sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to that person at that person’s last known residential address;
(c)	by addressing it to that person and sending it by fax to that person’s last known fax number;
(d)	by addressing it to that person, and sending it to an email address or a digital mobile telephone number specified by that person in accordance with paragraph (2);
(e)	by leaving it at that person’s last known residential address if service cannot be effected under sub‑paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).

(2) The notice may be served in a manner specified in paragraph (1)(d) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	the person to whom the notice is to be served gives that person’s prior written consent for the notice to be served in that manner;
(b)	that person specifies, in that written consent, the email address or digital mobile telephone number to which the notice is to be sent. [S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

PART VIIIB

HOME DETENTION SCHEME

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Referral to Home Detention Advisory Committee

151K.—(1) There shall be a Home Detention Advisory Committee for one or more prisons, or more than one Home Detention Advisory Committee for one prison, to make a recommendation, in respect of a prisoner of that prison or any one of those prisons, on any one or more of the following matters referred to the Committee by the Commissioner, or by the Superintendent subject to the direction of the Commissioner:

(a)	whether the Commissioner should make a home detention order under section 52 of the Act in respect of a prisoner who is eligible to be released on home detention under section 53(1) of the Act;
(b)	whether a prisoner who is disqualified under section 53(1)(b) of the Act from being released on home detention, but who is otherwise eligible to be released on home detention under section 53(1) of the Act, should have his disqualification removed by the Minister under section 53(2) of the Act and be released on a home detention order by the Commissioner under section 52 of the Act; [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]
(c)	any other matter relating to the home detention scheme established under Part 6 of the Act. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) The Committee shall consider the matters referred to it and shall make a recommendation for the decision of the Minister or the Commissioner, as the case may be.

(3) The Committee shall, in making a recommendation to the Minister as to whether the Minister should remove a prisoner’s disqualification under subsection (2) of section 53 of the Act, have regard to the factors in that subsection.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Service of order of variation of conditions for home detention, etc.

151KA.—(1) For the purposes of section 54(3)(b) of the Act, a written order under section 54(2) of the Act may also be served by any of the following means:

(a)	by addressing it to that person and delivering it at that person’s last known residential address to an adult person who is a member of that person’s family;
(b)	by sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to that person at that person’s last known residential address;
(c)	by addressing it to that person and sending it by fax to that person’s last known fax number;
(d)	by addressing it to that person, and sending it to an email address or a digital mobile telephone number specified by that person in accordance with paragraph (2);
(e)	by leaving it at that person’s last known residential address if service cannot be effected under sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).

(2) The order may be served in a manner specified in paragraph (1)(d) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	the person to whom the order is to be served gives that person’s prior written consent for the order to be served in that manner;
(b)	that person specifies, in that written consent, the email address or digital mobile telephone number to which the order is to be sent. [S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Prisoner to bear costs of prescribed expenses incurred when released on home detention order

151KB. A prisoner released on a home detention order for home detention is to bear the costs of the following expenses incurred by the prisoner when released on such order:

(a)

the costs of the prisoner’s meals incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the home detention order;

(b)

the costs of the prisoner’s medical expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the home detention order;

(c)

the costs of any educational or occupational training programme, or any other activity for the purpose of facilitating the prisoner’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society (each called in this regulation the specified activity) that the prisoner is required to attend as specified in the home detention order;

(d)

the costs of the prisoner’s transport between any of the following places:

(i)	the prison from which the prisoner is released for home detention;
(ii)	the place (as specified in the home detention order) where the prisoner is required to attend the specified activity;
(iii)	the prisoner’s place of residence;
(iv)	any other place specified in the home detention order;

(e)

any other costs of the prisoner’s daily living expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the home detention order.

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

PART VIIIC

EXTERNAL PLACEMENT SCHEME

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Referral to External Placement Review Board

151L.—(1) There shall be an External Placement Review Board for one or more prisons, or more than one External Placement Review Board for one prison, to make a recommendation to the Minister, in respect of a prisoner of that prison or any one of those prisons, on any one or more of the following matters referred to the Board by the Commissioner:

(a)	whether the Minister should direct the Commissioner to make an external placement order under section 59B(1) of the Act in respect of the prisoner;
(b)	whether the Minister should direct the Commissioner to extend the duration of the prisoner’s external placement order under section 59B(2) of the Act;
(c)	whether the Minister should cancel the prisoner’s external placement order under section 59H(1) of the Act;
(d)	any other matter relating to the external placement scheme established under Part 6A of the Act. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) Before the Minister gives any direction or makes any decision in relation to an external placement order in respect of a prisoner’s case, the Commissioner must refer the prisoner’s case to an External Placement Review Board.

(3) The Board shall consider the matters referred to it and shall make a recommendation for the Minister’s decision.

(4) In making its recommendation, the Board shall have regard to the factors in section 59B(3)(a) of the Act and may have regard to the factors in section 59B(3)(b) of the Act.

[S 447/2014 wef 01/07/2014]

Service of notice of variation of conditions for external placement, etc.

151LA.—(1) For the purposes of section 59D(4)(b) of the Act, a written notice under section 59D(3) of the Act may also be served by any of the following means:

(a)	by addressing it to that person and delivering it at that person’s last known residential address to an adult person who is a member of that person’s family;
(b)	by sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to that person at that person’s last known residential address;
(c)	by addressing it to that person and sending it by fax to that person’s last known fax number;
(d)	by addressing it to that person, and sending it to an email address or a digital mobile telephone number specified by that person in accordance with paragraph (2);
(e)	by leaving it at that person’s last known residential address if service cannot be effected under sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).

(2) The notice may be served in a manner specified in paragraph (1)(d) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	the person to whom the notice is to be served gives that person’s prior written consent for the notice to be served in that manner;
(b)	that person specifies, in that written consent, the email address or digital mobile telephone number to which the notice is to be sent. [S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Prisoner to bear costs of prescribed expenses incurred when released on external placement order

151LB. A prisoner released on an external placement order for external placement is to bear the costs of the following expenses incurred by the prisoner when released on such order:

(a)

the cost of the prisoner’s meals incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the external placement order;

(b)

the costs of the prisoner’s medical expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the external placement order;

(c)

the cost of the prisoner’s transport between any of the following places:

(i)	the prison from which the prisoner is released for external placement;
(ii)	the prisoner’s place of residence;
(iii)	any other place specified in the prisoner’s external placement order;

(d)

any other costs of the prisoner’s daily living expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the external placement order.

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

PART VIIID

EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION SCHEME

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Referral to Employment Preparation Advisory Committee

151LC.—(1) There is to be an Employment Preparation Advisory Committee for one or more prisons, or more than one Employment Preparation Advisory Committee for one prison, to make a recommendation, in respect of a prisoner of that prison or any one of those prisons, on any one or more of the following matters referred to the Committee by the Commissioner, or by the Superintendent subject to the direction of the Commissioner:

(a)	whether the Commissioner should make an employment preparation order under section 59K of the Act in respect of a prisoner who is eligible to be released for employment preparation under section 59L(1) of the Act;
(b)	any other matter relating to the employment preparation scheme established under Part 6B of the Act.

(2) The Committee must consider the matters referred to it and must make a recommendation for the Commissioner’s decision.

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Service of order of variation of conditions for employment preparation, etc.

151LD.—(1) For the purposes of section 59M(4)(b) of the Act, an order under section 59M(3) of the Act may also be served by any of the following means:

(a)	by addressing it to that person and delivering it at that person’s last known residential address to an adult person who is a member of that person’s family;
(b)	by sending it by prepaid registered post addressed to that person at that person’s last known residential address;
(c)	by addressing it to that person and sending it by fax to that person’s last known fax number;
(d)	by addressing it to that person, and sending it to an email address or a digital mobile telephone number specified by that person in accordance with paragraph (2);
(e)	by leaving it at that person’s last known residential address if service cannot be effected under sub-paragraph (a), (b), (c) or (d).

(2) The order may be served in a manner specified in paragraph (1)(d) only if both of the following conditions are satisfied:

(a)	the person to whom the order is to be served gives that person’s prior written consent for the order to be served in that manner;
(b)	that person specifies, in that written consent, the email address or digital mobile telephone number to which the order is to be sent. [S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Prisoner to bear cost of prescribed expenses incurred when released on employment preparation order

151LE. A prisoner released on an employment preparation order for employment preparation is to bear the costs of the following expenses incurred by the prisoner when released on such order:

(a)

the cost of the prisoner’s meals incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the employment preparation order;

(b)

the costs of the prisoner’s medical expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the employment preparation order;

(c)

the costs of any educational or occupational training programme, or any other activity for the purpose of facilitating the prisoner to be gainfully employed (each called in this regulation the specified activity) that the prisoner is required to participate in as specified in the employment preparation order;

(d)

the cost of the prisoner’s transport between any of the following places:

(i)	the prison from which the prisoner is released for employment preparation;
(ii)	the prisoner’s place of employment specified in the employment preparation order;
(iii)	the place (as specified in the employment preparation order) where the prisoner is required to participate in the specified activity;
(iv)	the prisoner’s place of residence;
(v)	any other place specified in the prisoner’s employment preparation order;

(e)

any other costs of the prisoner’s daily living expenses incurred outside the limits of any prison for the duration of the employment preparation order.

[S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

Compulsory savings

151LF. A prisoner released on an employment preparation order to be employed (in any place outside the limits of the prison in which the prisoner is detained) by any employer specified in the order —

(a)	must deposit a proportion (as specified by the Commissioner) of the wages earned by the prisoner during the prisoner’s employment as compulsory savings in an account with the Singapore Prison Service, to be opened in the name of the prisoner; and
(b)	must not withdraw any amount of those compulsory savings without the prior approval of the Superintendent. [S 720/2022 wef 02/09/2022]

PART IX

PERSONS DETAINED FOR SAFE CUSTODY

Definition for this Part

152. In this Part, “specified prisoner” means a debtor, a prisoner awaiting trial or a prisoner committed for safe custody only.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Separation of prisoners

152A. A specified prisoner must in no case be confined in association with convicted criminals.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Labour

153. A specified prisoner will not be required to do any labour other than what is required to keep the specified prisoner’s room, furniture and utensils clean.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Discretion of Superintendent to modify routine

154. The Superintendent may modify the routine of the prison in regard to any prisoner awaiting trial, so far as to dispense with any practice which, in the Superintendent’s opinion, is clearly unnecessary or unsuitable in the case of that particular prisoner.

Privileges

155.—(1) A specified prisoner may be allowed to receive items such as books, papers and food, as are consistent with good order and the discipline of the prison.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(2) All such items must be received or brought through as allowed by the Commissioner.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

(3) Prisoners detained on orders made by the Controller of Immigration may not enjoy these privileges, except with the permission of the Superintendent.

[S 332/2025 wef 30/05/2025]

156. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Withdrawal of privileges

157. Any of the privileges mentioned in regulation 153 or 155(1) may be withdrawn, or curtailed in case of abuse at the discretion of the Superintendent who will make an entry of the particulars of each such case in his Journal.

[S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

158. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

159. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

160. [Deleted by S 533/2018 wef 01/09/2018]

Medical practitioner of choice

161. A prisoner awaiting trial must, if necessary for the purposes of the prisoner’s defence in criminal proceedings in which the prisoner is an accused person, be allowed to be seen by a medical practitioner of the prisoner’s choice on any working day at any reasonable time, and in the sight, but not in the hearing, of a prison officer.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

PART X

TREATMENT OF PRISONERS AWAITING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Search and examination of cells

162.—(1) Every prisoner awaiting capital punishment must be thoroughly searched and any unauthorised article found on the prisoner must be removed.

(2) Every prisoner awaiting capital punishment —

(a)	must be confined apart from all other prisoners; and
(b)	must be under close supervision of a prison officer.

(3) The cell in which a prisoner awaiting capital punishment is confined must be examined as often as is necessary to ensure its security and safety.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Clothing and bedding

163. Such prisoners shall be provided with the same kind of clothing and bedding as persons undergoing simple imprisonment, and shall be provided with such other articles as may be approved in writing by the Superintendent.

Restricted access to prisoner

164.—(1) No person may have access to a prisoner awaiting capital punishment without a written order from the Commissioner, except the medical officer of the prison, any prison officer in the course of duty and, if required by the prisoner, a minister of religion.

(2) A prison officer must be present during the whole of every such access to the prisoner by the medical officer or minister of religion.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Restricted access at executions

165.—(1) Every execution must be attended by the Superintendent, a medical officer and any other prison officer that the Commissioner requires.

(2) There may also be present at the execution a minister of religion in attendance at the prison and any other persons that the Commissioner thinks proper to admit at the execution.

[S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

Gallows and executions

166. The Superintendent must ensure that —

(a)	the gallows and other equipment used for executions in a prison are properly maintained; and
(b)	executions in a prison are carried out in accordance with the law and the procedures approved by the Commissioner. [S 35/2022 wef 18/01/2022]

[G.N. Nos. 99/39; 501/40; S 106/46; S 127/46; S 343/47; S 67/48; S 304/48; S 153/49; S 20/50; S 241/52; S 106/53; S 40/56; S 313/68; S 282/89; S 510/95; S 32/98; S 406/2000]