Staff volunteerism in the Prisons Department was officially launched in April 2001, in line with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's call for a meaningful balance between self, family and community through involvement in volunteer activities. It is also part of the Department's efforts to promote work-life balance by encouraging and recognising staff volunteer activities. The Department plays an active role by recruiting, job-matching, and organising orientation and training sessions for staff volunteers. Currently, the scope of volunteer work covers services in prisons/DRCs, related agencies (e.g. Singapore After-Care Association, Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, and halfway houses) as well as agencies under the National Council of Social Services.

There are altogether 106 staff who have signed up as staff volunteers, all willing and ready to contribute their time, energy and skills to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Among them, 51 are volunteering on a regular basis working directly with inmates in Prisons/DRCs and ex-RTC boys who are undergoing aftercare supervision. Their areas of volunteer work include teaching, tutoring, games coaching, befriending, group mentoring, visits to welfare homes and participation in community services and charitable events.

To encourage more staff to offer their talents and services in volunteer work, the Department is currently expanding the scope of volunteer work to include Voluntary Welfare Organisations and community service trips to the less developed countries. Staff volunteers can expect to learn from purposeful activities with even more exciting volunteer opportunities.

The journey of volunteerism is one of unforgettable discovery and experience for oneself and others. Take a bold step forward, lend a heart, embark on an exciting journey of volunteerism and make a difference to someone's life for “the best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others.”- Ghandi

Quotes

“I learnt that at the very basic level, befriending simply means spending time to provide a listening ear to others or just by being there.”

– Mazlin Mamat

“The half-day volunteering session at the Society for the Physically Disabled was truly an eye-opener for me. I was impressed by their will and sense of pride in overcoming the difficulties to learn new skills and be able to face the challenges ahead of them.”

– Kalsom Mohd

“Being able to be involved in another person's life and be given the opportunity to touch and impact lives is an enormous privilege. It gave me a better perspective on how much more privileged I am and how I need to remember not to take even ordinary things for granted.”

– RO2 Maxmillian Yak

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