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Changi Chapel and Museum

Learn more about the tenacity of the prisoners of war and civilians interned in Changi prison camp during World War II, with a trip to the Changi Chapel and Museum.

Explore our wartime past by learning about the Fall of Singapore and the infamous Changi Prison.

It is hoped that the POWs, civilian prisoners and their families can find closure from the war here and the Changi Museum.

Take the time to visit the other historical sites and attractions that surround the area such as the Changi Chapel, Changi Village and Changi Beach.

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A Day In The Life Of A Changi Prison Inmate

Prison dramas are a Hollywood favourite, but besides the occasional Crimewatch footage, Singaporeans rarely get a look at Changi Prison Complex.

This begs the question: for the 23,000 inmates being housed in Singapore’s very own prison, what is life like?

Changi Prison Complex

Known to the world as a high-rise, high-tech and above all, claustrophobic facility, Changi Prison has a reputation for inhumane conditions and violating international standards . Are the horror stories really true? Beyond the notion of prison, how do people cope with the lifestyle?

Samuel*, an ex-inmate, likened Changi Prison to an abandoned school. The peeling walls and rows of cells lining the concrete floors look bleak, but the prison is kept clean by the inmates. The complex is divided in clusters, each resembling a HDB block. Every level of the cell is a different housing unit.

The 24-year-old served a three-month stint in Cluster B3 after committing a drug-related crime. Samuel described Changi Prison as a regimented hotel where one could do some reflection and self-discovery. To be exact, an “eat, pray, love with restrictions” – not exactly the vicious prison life you would expect.

His experience isn’t all-compassing though, as the rules and schedules vary from cluster to cluster, which is determined by severity of crime, length of imprisonment and luck.

6AM: Lights On

There are no clocks in prison. Time is indicated by the schedule, announced over an intercom. White fluorescent lights flicker on at 6am sharp. Inmates are given time to wash up, pray or even snooze. The cells come with an en-suite toilet bowl and a shower head, so there is no need to step out.

Just like school, a bell rings to signal the start of the day at 7:30am. The first muster check commences. Prisoners are to greet the officers and stand beside their bunks while they do a head count. During this time, inmates can report sick or inform the management of any maintenance issues.

Next up, breakfast at 7.45am. All meals are prepared by the napohs, the inmates who work in the kitchen, and served through a doggy door in the cell. The menu never changes – 4 slices of bread with a stingy serving of either butter or jam and a cup of 3-in-1 Super brand coffee or teh to wash it down.

12PM: Lunch

Lunch is served at 12pm after the second muster check. Lunch is usually vegetarian cai fan , with rice, 1 vegetable and 1 side dish, alternating between tofu, beancurd and fishcake. Hot dogs are an occasional treat.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, rice is swapped out for noodles, either mee goreng (a favourite), bee hoon or hor fun . This is when inmates get innovative, with old-timers keeping their coffee or tea from breakfast to make mee siam or mee rebus from the noodles.

The menu gets an upgrade on holidays. Samuel reports a spread of pandan rice, curry chicken and a fried chicken drumstick on Hari Raya, accompanied by an hour of festive music.

Food in Changi Prison isn’t the grey slop you would expect, but that doesn’t mean it’s nutritious. After some time, inmates can even feel their hair and nails weakening from the lack of vitamins. The vegetables are almost expired and aren’t green, so quantity is key.

Unfortunately, sharing food is a chargeable offence. “Just like communism,” Samuel jokes. Befriending the cookies , or prison workers, comes with perks. Samuel sometimes gets extra food from one of the cookies who serve the food to every cell. Cookies also help out with various housekeeping duties.

2PM: “Outdoor” Activities 

2pm is the most anticipated time of the day. Inmates are ushered into the corridor outside the cells, where they wait for their turn at outdoor yard time.

On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, it’s 1 hour of television and 1 hour of exercise. Wednesdays and Fridays promise 2 whole hours of IMDA-approved television. The officers regulate 3 English programmes and 2 in Chinese, Malay or Tamil weekly.

Day room activities also include shaving (inmates have to check with officers for permission to shave intimate areas), reading newspapers, an assortment of board games like chess, Carom, checkers and Scrabble and chit chat. Popular conversation topics range from tagging life and gang gossip to kopitiam food recommendations. A mobile library (essentially a shelf) comes in once every 3 weeks on Wednesdays.

Yard time is the only time inmates get to breathe some fresh air. The yard is located on the roof of the block, consisting of a sepak takraw court beside a basketball court. It is built like a bird cage, with barbed wire fencing on all sides, even covering the top of the court.

No complaints though; the unlucky ones housed on level 1 and 2 don’t get the luxury of sunshine as they spend yard time in an indoor sports hall.

T-shirts aren’t allowed in the yard, and inmates have to undergo a strip search before exercise. Another yard time rule is that the sepak takraw ball can’t be used to play soccer due to safety reasons, a rule that is often challenged and reinforced with exasperation.

Games are carried out tournament-style, which can get overly-competitive. In a scuffle Samuel witnessed over a basketball match, a blaring alarm sounded out within a minute. All inmates had to drop to the floor with their hands above their heads. Those involved were then arrested, charged and transferred elsewhere. Consequences for misbehaviour include solitary or caning.

During this time, an officer will shout jiak you , Hokkien for ‘eat medicine’. Babas , or nurses, will administer the medicine in zip lock bags to those with medical conditions. The officers will watch them swallow the medicine. Some prisoners hide the pills in their mouths for later use.

On weekends, yard time is replaced by religious classes conducted by volunteers in classrooms. Muslim, Buddhist and Roman Catholic classes are held on Saturdays and Christian classes on Sundays.

Most join religious classes just for time out of the cell. Christian classes are popular as there is an additional Christian bible study class on Tuesday, which means double out-of-cell time. However, some do end up converting religions in prison. For others, these classes act as a counselling session or an outlet.

4.30PM: Dinner

An early dinner is served at 4.30pm. The meal consists of 3 servings of rice, vegetables rotating between beansprouts, bitter gourd, eggplant, kangkong or cauliflower and baked chicken or fish.

Occasionally, cheers will be heard from the cells, which means that there’s curry chicken. Samuel says that prison curry is extremely thick and flavourful, even going as far as to deem it the best curry chicken he has ever had.

Special diets such as low-sugar, low-protein, non-spicy are available to accommodate to medical conditions. Fruits, usually an orange or banana comes with both lunch and dinner as an attempt to encourage a balanced diet.

When the kitchen closes for cleaning once a month, dinner is something called a ‘6 pack’ – a measly packet of old-school buns with various fillings such as red bean.

Coping With 22 Hours Of Lock Up

Besides yard time and religious classes, most of the day is spent within the four narrow walls of the cell. It is very literally imprisonment – even 30 seconds of open-door time is greatly appreciated. How do prisoners keep themselves occupied?

Long-term inmates usually have jobs that pay in credit after 6 months. Credit can be used to buy snacks like Nutella, toiletries or miscellaneous items from the e-kiosk, such as family photos for the homesick.

A trend among old-timers would be to customise their all-blue uniform with their names (or nicknames), a novelty service available at the e-kiosk as well.

For those like Samuel who don’t work, time passes a little slower. They exercise, pore over Sudoku and crosswords books (requested from visitors), confide in their cell mates, or even manage to play chess, fashioned out of rice and magazine. One unanimous pastime of the inmates is karaoke; it’s common to hear inmates from different cells singing the popular songs in unison.

It helps that there are tablets provided to inmates for 90 minutes every night, where they can play games like Find the Item, learn subjects like Physics and Biology online, read e-books and write e-letters via the prison portal. On top of weekly visits, a tele-visit room allows loved ones to hold a 30-minute video call inmates from the visit points around Singapore.

Spending 22 hours in a confined space can get brutal, but there is community. Inmates lend support to each other to keep morale up. Long-term inmates usually comfort newcomers, sometimes with tough love. People are considerate; be it sharing their tablet time with those who are taking it harder or flushing with a pail of water to avoid waking their cellmates up.

Lights go off everyday at 9pm, leaving the complex pitch-black. The first day usually calls for some crying, but eventually it’s easy to fall into the routine of fitful sleep (no thanks to cell mate’s loud snoring) on the cool floor instead of the uncomfortable mat provided. Rinse and repeat at 6am.

*Not his real name.

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• Prison Guide

• September 25, 2023 September 25, 2023

How to Book a Prison Visit Online

Scheduling an in-person visit with an incarcerated loved one is important for maintaining connections. Many corrections departments now allow online prison visit reservations to improve convenience and efficiency. This article outlines the typical process for booking online prison visits.

Check Visitation Eligibility Requirements

Before scheduling visits, confirm eligibility with the facility’s policies:

• Age minimums – Adult visitors usually required.
• Visitor approval – Visitors must be on inmate’s approved list.
• ID/documentation – Valid photo ID often required.
• Allowed items – Review dress code and authorized items.
• Health requirements – Some facilities require COVID vaccination proof.

Ensure you meet all criteria to avoid wasted trips or denied entry.

Create a Visitor Account on the Facility’s Website

Most prisons with online scheduling require creating a visitor account:

• Enter your personal details like name, address, email, phone number.
• Create a username and password for the visitor account.
• Provide your ID number and type (driver’s license, passport, etc).
• Electronically sign any waivers or terms required.

This information links you to the inmate and confirms identity upon arrival.

Schedule Visit Date and Time

With an approved visitor account, you can view visitation calendars and schedule dates/times:

• Select day(s) – Weekends and holidays are busiest.
• Choose time slot(s) – Typical windows are 1-2 hours long.
• Check-in 15-30 minutes prior – To clear security screening.
• Bring printed or digital confirmation – Shows your scheduled slot.

Visits are usually first-come, first-served for available times. Book well in advance for best selection.

Understand Cancellation and No Show Policies

Review policies if you must cancel or miss scheduled visits:

• Timeframe – Cancel at least 24-48 hours in advance when possible.
• Allowed frequency – Too many cancellations or no shows may restrict future visits.
• Notifications – Call the visitation hotline as soon as possible.
• Exceptions – Illness or family emergencies may qualify for waivers.

Follow proper procedures to avoid penalties like temporary visit suspensions.

Arrive Prepared on Visitation Day

Give yourself extra time and arrive prepared:

• Dress appropriately – Follow dress code to get cleared for entry.
• Limited belongings – Carry only approved items needed for children.
• Check in at gate – Provide printed or digital confirmation and ID.
• Clear security – Successfully pass through metal detectors and searches.
• Confirm visitation rules – Keep physical contact limited if prohibited.
• Enjoy visit! – Make the most of this valued time together.

Proper planning ensures visitation goes smoothly.

Online scheduling systems are making arranging prison visits easier and more efficient. Visitors can quickly check availability and reserve slots after creating an approved account. Following facility policies ensures a smooth visitation process. While in-person time is limited, it remains invaluable for maintaining inmate connections and support systems.

FAQs About Booking Online Prison Visits

How far in advance can visits be booked.

Most facilities allow booking 1-4 weeks in advance. Holidays and weekends fill up quickly.

Can visitors schedule multiple back-to-back time slots?

Usually not – facilities limit visits to 1-2 hour sessions with buffer times in between.

Is there an age limit or requirement for minor visitor approval?

Yes, approval rules vary but most prisons prohibit visitors under 18 years old.

Can online visit reservations be made on a mobile device?

Some systems only allow scheduling on the desktop website. But mobile-friendly platforms are becoming more common.

What if a visitor’s plans change after booking?

Notify the prison as soon as possible if you cannot make the booked time. Schedule changes are limited.

How do waiting lists work if times are fully booked?

Waiting lists prioritize visitors by order and frequency since last visit. Openings from cancellations are first-come, first-served.

What happens if a visitor is late for check-in?

You may forfeit that day’s visit. Arrive well before the scheduled window to ensure entry.

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• Crime, justice and the law
• Prisons and probation

Visit someone in prison

Use this service to request a social visit to a prisoner in England or Wales. There’s a different way to book a prison visit in Northern Ireland or a prison visit in Scotland .

To use this service you need the:

• prisoner number
• prisoner’s date of birth
• dates of birth for all visitors coming with you

If you do not have the prisoner’s location or prisoner number, use the ‘Find a prisoner’ service .

You can choose up to 3 dates and times you prefer. The prison will email you to confirm when you can visit.

The prisoner must add you to their visitor list before you can request a visit. This can take up to 2 weeks.

Request a prison visit

Visits you cannot book through this service.

Contact the prison directly if you need to arrange any of the following:

• legal visits, for example legal professionals discussing the prisoner’s case
• reception visits, for example the first visit to the prisoner within 72 hours of being admitted
• double visits, for example visiting for 2 hours instead of 1
• family day visits - special family events that the prison organises

Help with the costs of prison visits

You may be able to get help with the cost of prison visits if you’re getting certain benefits or have a health certificate.

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