No individual will ever be truly prepared for the stark realities of incarceration. It is an awakening no soul willingly anticipates, regardless of the culpability that necessitates a prison term. While the desire to see justice served is an innate human desire, our emphatic nature also grapples with the loss of freedom. It is never easy.

For this article, I had the opportunity of shadowing our Integrated Ministry Social Worker, Mr. Roy Chua, as he managed his pre-sentence counselling caseload. From courtrooms to coffee shops, I was able to directly observe his interaction not only with offenders, but also their families. This facet of ministry often receives less attention compared to the visibility associated with other initiatives; nevertheless, it remains a vital component of the work we do at Prison Fellowship Singapore.

Upon meeting Patrick* (pseudonym for anonymity) in the courtroom, I noted with quiet surprise his composed demeanour and acceptance of his impending sentence. His family surrounded him. His wife displayed evidence of recent tears, while his children prepared for the pronouncement and some supportive relatives were present to offer solace. As we took our seats, Roy and Patrick began to chat, the former offered words of encouragement. I remained a silent observer of this sombre moment in a sterile courtroom, moved by the quiet moment of support.

For Patrick, weeks before the court hearings even began, he and his wife had already engaged our team for pre-sentence counselling sessions during which, they had the space to share their concerns about the impending incarceration and the implications on his family in the ensuing months. To mitigate the potential shock of incarceration, our staff prepared Patrick for the realities of life in prison. While their situation evoked much sorrow and regret, it was the couple’s faith in Jesus that provided some degree of assurance as they navigated this challenging period.

In court, immediately after the sentence was pronounced, Patrick was given a moment to be with his family before being led away. They hugged, tears flowed, as we prayed alongside them. After saying their goodbyes, he returned to the holding area where he continued to reassure them, silently mouthing “I’m okay” coupled with the thumbs-up gesture. Patrick had accepted his impending jail term with composure.

We meet many like Patrick during our pre-sentence counselling work. At the same time, we also come across some like Gary (also a pseudonym), who represents those individuals struggling to come to terms with their incarceration. There are a variety of reasons why they are unable to accept their impending prison term. For Gary, being adamant stems from perceived unfairness given the nature of his case. What do you say when you can empathise with a beneficiary, while understanding the severity of his actions in the eyes of the law?

Before Gary’s second hearing, our team sat with him at a hawker centre to prepare him for the likely outcome, yet he was still unable to comprehend why a prison sentence was necessary. “Can’t I just pay a fine?” he asked, basing his arguments on what he believed as flaws in the system. From our rational assessment however, we were mindful that precedence points to a likely incarceration stint. Back in the courtroom, despite conversations with his lawyer and the judge, he stubbornly maintained his belief that he deserved leniency because he saw himself as a victim, not the perpetrator.

The courtroom experience with Gary stood in stark contrast to the one with Patrick. Gary was not accompanied by his family members, who appeared to have distanced themselves from him. If not for the presence of our small team from PFS, Gary would be facing his sentencing alone. At that moment, I felt that our journey with him went beyond preparing him for life inside prison; our ministry was about accompaniment, friendship and the willingness to journey with him despite the difference in opinions. At the end of the day, our unwavering commitment is to Gary's well-being, and we sincerely hope he navigates this chapter of his life with comprehensive support.

During our pre-sentence counselling work, PFS also has the privilege of meeting many lawyers and medical professionals who generously offer pro bono or low bono services to our beneficiaries. We are deeply grateful for this network because through their compassion and generosity, legal and medical expenses become manageable for needy individuals who seek assistance.

Looking ahead, we hope to continue supporting even more individuals in this way. If you know of someone who may benefit from pre-sentence counselling support, contact Prison Fellowship Singapore at 63842338 or write into enquiry@pfs.org.sg .

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