GP - Offenders to have rehabilitation, treatment options before sentencing

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/offenders-to-have/2572264.html

• Pre-Sentence Protocol (2016): allows offenders who have committed less serious crimes such as petty theft, and have underlying behavioural issues to undergo treatment before the court issues a sentence
• Undergo treatment, receive counselling, take medication, and/or voluntarily undergo programmes
• Collaboration b/w the State Courts and Singapore After-Care Association (will provide counselling, befriending, monitoring of compliance and reporting to the court on progress)

Benefits

• More effective; addresses underlying behavioural issues
• e.g. repeat offenders suffering from alcohol/drug addictions
• Provides greater incentive for offenders to turn over new leaf
• e.g. past rehabilitation were conducted after the sentencing, but new protocol gives them a chance to avoid/reduce the sentence based on their behaviour