WIT-ty Inmates in the Singapore Prison Sevice
A Work Improvement Team (WIT) is a group who meets regularly to identify work areas that need improvement and propose recommendations for changes to the management. A WIT’s main concern is with making quality improvements in the work place; its long-term focus is to improve work systems and processes by making the best possible use of available resources. Working in WITs also helps in developing leadership, creative thinking, problem-solving and public speaking skills.
The Singapore Prison Service has extended the formation of WITs to the inmates in our custody. By including them in certain decision-making processes, and encouraging them to pick up problem-solving skills, the Prison Service aims to ease their reintegration to society upon release. Written by an inmate, the following excerpt relates the personal experiences of an Inmates’ WIT from Moon Crescent Prison.
THE STRIVERS
Our team, the STRIVERS of Housing Unit ‘Frontier’, Moon Crescent Prison, was formed on the 1st of July 2002. Our objective was to seek improvement opportunities in areas of our work and lives and recommending practical solutions which are effective and yet, not a compromise to security and safety.
Although the team members came from completely different backgrounds and ethnic groups, we were able to assimilate our views to produce fruitful ideas and suggestions. Consequently, we were able to work cohesively towards a common set of objectives and goals. Inadvertently, there were disagreements from time to time, but we were able to circumvent on these differences by focussing on the issues rather than the person. Through cross-functional learning and sharing, our espirit de corps grew stronger and we were able to function as one productive team both in spirit and truth and most importantly enjoy every moment learning together and developing ourselves.
Our very first project was to improve the tedious process of administration during admission and the arduous transfer of inmates at Housing Unit ‘Frontier’. We won a Gold Award at the Inaugural Moon Crescent Prison/ Reformative Training Centre (MCP/RTC) Inmates WITs Convention held on 19th November 2002. The Gold Award project also won the praises of Mr. Chua Chin Kiat, Director of Prisons, when the project was presented to him during his visit of MCP/RTC on the 17th of February 2003.
Our achievement has done Housing Unit ‘Frontier’ proud and undeniably enhanced our enthusiasm and commitment to excel even further in future assignments as a team. We feel grateful to be given the opportunity to contribute our strengths in the respective areas of needs and be successful in delivering them.
The team is presently working on another project and is confident in clinching on to the award should there be a convention this year.