1/9/05

Lessons have been fine, band prac was fine. In-class discussion isn't haha. Somehow, I didn't clicked with the genius today. His views and my views are different sides of the coin. As I am not the offensive person, I followed his thinking and just agreed. Nothing much. Just very tired.

Slice of Life

Unlocking the Second Prison (Part 2)

Most ex-offenders are genuine in their desire to leave their past behind and begin a good, honest life. After all, they?ve gone through one of the most harrowing experiences a human being can endure ? the loss of freedom and separation from loved ones. They?re in no hurry to get into prison again.

However, because they face a tidal wave of discrimination and prejudice, they often cannot find employment. The unforgiving attitude of society can also turn ex-offenders into social outcasts. All these factors can push an ex-offender to fall back with his old company, possibly the ones who got him into trouble with the law in the first place. Without viable means of making a living, ex-offenders may also be compelled to turn again to crime.

In Singapore, about 11,000 people are released from prison every year. If we can let go of our prejudice and give them a second chance, many ex-offenders can and will go on to become valuable contributors to civic society. However, if we continue to reject them, they can also turn into liabilities. As members of the community, each of us has a part to play in helping ex-offenders re-enter society.

Consider these true stories of how employers and members of the community enabled some ex-offenders to begin a second lease of life?

"A car wash attendant starts his day at a Bukit Timah petrol kiosk. He smiles at his customer when he sees a yellow ribbon decal on the windscreen. His supervisor smiles too. It turns out all the attendants used to be from a certain Christian half-way house. It is their first day of work. "

"A social worker wears a yellow ribbon on the MRT. A well-dressed young man next to him asks, ?Why do you wear it??. After a brief conversation, the young man replies, ?I?m an ex-offender. Actually, today is my first day looking for work. Thanks!?

Fresh beginnings. Little acts that potentially mean a whole lot more. That?s what the Yellow Ribbon Project is all about ? how Singaporeans can continue to improve the social climate for ex-offenders by doing simple but deeply significant acts. It may start with as simple a gesture as wearing a yellow ribbon, but who knows how many more lives can be touched and reached as a result of our acceptance?

To find out how you can help, go to www.yellowribbon.org.sg or call 6214 2867.

This edition of "A Slice of Life" is brought to you by The Yellow Ribbon Project - Give ex-offenders and their families a Second Lease of Life.