Singapore seeks to hold ‘dangerous offenders’ indefinitely, even past prison terms
- The proposed legislation would apply to those above 21 who are convicted of crimes that include culpable homicide, rape and sex with minors
- Under the proposed bill, offenders would not be automatically released after completing their prison terms, unless they were no longer deemed a public threat
The proposed legislation would apply to those above 21 who are convicted of crimes that include culpable homicide, rape and sex with minors.
In a joint statement, the law and home affairs ministries said the measure would be a “severe sentence” but would “better protect the public from dangerous offenders”.
We want to ensure that such dangerous and high-risk offenders are not released back into the community until they no longer pose a threat to public safety
It added that as a safeguard, it would be the court that decides if an offender falls under what it calls the sentence for enhanced public protection.
Cases cited by the ministries include a man who in 2020 sexually assaulted his 12-year-old stepdaughter within two years of being released from prison for the rape of his 11-year-old niece.
“We want to ensure that such dangerous and high-risk offenders are not released back into the community until they no longer pose a threat to public safety,” the statement said.
“Our current sentencing options are inadequate to deal with such egregious offending.”