Chia Keng Prison

Background

Chia Keng Prison was a medium-security prison located on Yio Chu Kang Road.¹ It housed prisoners who were serving their second stage of detention under the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act.²

History
Chia Keng Prison was opened in July 1976 with a capacity for 300 inmates.³ In 1993, the prison was demolished to make way for the development of new Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats and many of the inmates were transferred to the Tampines prison complex on Lorong Halus, off the Tampines Expressway.⁴

When interviewed by The Straits Times after the prison was demolished, many residents of HDB flats near Chia Keng Prison spoke fondly about the prison. Many had felt safe in the presence of Gurkha guards who stood watch at the prison’s watchtowers that were as close as 10 m from their flats. The residents also commented that the prison was quiet except for the monthly grass-cutting. A resident shared that he had bought a flat in the area for its unblocked view and a good breeze, as the low-rise prison buildings did not obstruct the view and breeze.⁵

Rehabilitation
Under the rehabilitation scheme set up by statutory board, Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), inmates were employed by participating companies, particularly in labour-intensive assembly-line industries such as electronics and garment manufacturing. Inmates at Chia Keng Prison worked in the electronics industry.⁶



Author
Joshua Chia Yeong Jia



References
1. “Neighbours Miss the Boys Next Door Now That Prison Has Moved,” Straits Times, 19 July 1993, 3 (From NewspaperSG); Prisons Dept., Singapore, Annual Report 1976 (Singapore: Prisons Dept, 1976), 5. (Call no. RCLOS 365.95957 SIN-[AR])
2. Prisons Dept., Singapore, Annual Report 1976, 8.
3. Prisons Dept., Singapore, Annual Report 1977 (Singapore: Prisons Dept, 1977), 6. (Call no. RCLOS 365.95957 SIN-[AR])
4. “Neighbours Miss the Boys Next Door.”
5. “Neighbours Miss the Boys Next Door.”
6. Peter Chia, “$4M – the Score by Captive Workforce,” Business Times, 15 August 1978, 12. (From NewspaperSG)



The information in this article is valid as of April 2021 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.