Visit of Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon to the Singapore After-Care Association

Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon visited the Singapore After-Care Association (SACA) on 15 July 2016 as its new Patron.

2. As SACA celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, it looks forward to Chief Justice Menon’s support in advancing ex-offender reintegration. Already his involvement as Patron since 11 January 2016 has resulted in an initiative to collaborate with the Community Court in the Court-Directed Pre-Sentence Protocol (CPSP) initiative to work with potential offenders to avoid prison sentence in the first place. The initiative saw its first referral this month.

3. SACA has historically been closely associated with the office of the Chief Justice – The Honourable Sir Alan Rose was founding Chairman and presided over the building of the hostel in 1960, and Chief Justice Wee Chong Jin was Patron from 1969 to 1990.

4. During the visit to SACA, Chief Justice Menon was introduced to a range of programmes and services under the SACA, as well as the Association’s plans for the future. One such plan involves a SACA research initiative to look into the impact of incarceration on families of ex-offenders which will be presented at a social work conference in 2017. Such efforts will go a long way in meeting the needs of children and families who are left behind.

5. “Since its establishment in 1956, SACA has played an important role in helping ex-offenders get back on their feet and lead productive and fulfilling lives. The reintegration of ex-offenders into society upon their release from prison is a critical part of our collective effort to ensure that they can truly leave their past and make a fresh start with dignity. SACA was a pioneer in recognising the importance of reintegration and I am honoured to be associated with it as its new Patron. I look forward to working closely with those who have devoted themselves to this important mission.” said Chief Justice Menon.

SINGAPORE AFTER-CARE ASSOCIATION

15 JULY 2016