I believe most of us are aware of the Yellow Ribbon Project and its associated events. A recent event held was the Yellow Prison Run, themed Beyond the Run. The motives of the event are directed back at the organisation’s 3 key goals:
To create Awareness of giving second chances to ex-offenders,
To generate Acceptance of ex-offenders and their families into the community,
To inspire Community Action to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders.
As I inspect further, it makes me wonder how successful the event is on achieving its motives when I chanced upon an article titled, “Where were the women at Yellow Ribbon?” (http://news.asiaone.com/News/Mailbox/Story/A1Story20090907-166103.html) Miss Kat recalls her own experience of the event, and her article apparently shows that the event is successful in conveying the message that “everyone deserves a second chance”. The publicity evoked her pathos, as the ex-offenders shared their testimonies with regards to moving on with life and integrating back into the society after their punishment term. The organisation also invited other ex-offenders to perform songs which were composed and written by themselves. This appeals to one’s logos, as it is evident that the ex-offenders are just as capable as non-offenders, and should be valued the same way. A considerable 6000 supporters turned up for the event, including Dr Teo Chee Hean, who was the guest-of-honor at the event. Thus, one would say that the organisation is actually successful with its goals.
However, in the same article, Miss Kat pointed out that “there was less participation by female former ex-offenders”. Was it because “the women feel that they would be stigmatized if they came out in the open”? As pointed out, the impression of ex-offenders on the public’s view on them is that there is a negative stigma and image cast on them. And indeed more often than not, our vision is colored and our views on the ex-offenders are inherently distorted by human nature and personal prejudices (reference to Bacon’s Idol of Tribe and Idol of Cave). For instance, one would not be particularly impressed when he learns that his co-worker is an ex-offender as it is inculcated in our minds that breaking the law is something shameful and unflattering. Thus this draws our attention to aspire to become more objective in our judgment, and be aware of the distortions so that we can overcome them and help unlock the ex-offenders' second prison.
The message that is perpetually propagated by the organisation is this: Everyone deserves a second chance. That includes both ex-offenders and non-offenders.
“Although they have made a mistake in life, they deserve a second chance. We all make mistakes, we all come out the better for it.”
President of the Republic of Singapore, S R Nathan
(Lifted from the Yellow Ribbon Project homepage.)
Indeed, all of us make mistakes. Recall the last time you had your fall. If the people around you, your family, your friends, your co-workers did not extend their graciousness towards you and give you that second chance, would you have picked yourself up? We are all on common ground as we also seek for second chance when we make mistakes, just like those ex-offenders. Think in their shoes, they deserve the second chance just as much as you do. Put away your colored lenses and embrace a fresh and new perspective on the ex-offenders.
Make that prison break.
Other references:
hey.. i like ur conclusion abt how everyone fall or fails in one way or another, we all need chances in life, indeed that's prision break :)
ReplyDeletea 2nd chance should be given, but provided that these ex-offenders cherish this 2nd chance that the society entrust them with. many times, we can say that these offenders disappoint us by turning back to their old ways. so, we should embrace them and give them the 2nd chance only if they are deserving of it.
ReplyDeleteIt is rather hard to change the society's views on these people. Perharps it will be better if we focus more on encouraging these people to learn form their mistakes and get on the route to success than forming perceptions on these people based on their past mistakes? I do hope that the society will come around in their opinions soon!
ReplyDeletehttp://handwritingsonthewall.wordpress.com/
Comment on my blog too, k?
I believe sometimes it is really difficult to forgive and give a 2nd chance. Offends, unlike a fall, causes hurt and damage to others, largely beyond oneself. So the concept of falling and picking urself up again MIGHT not always be adequate in drawing the parallel for us supporting ex-offenders back.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I believe that they should still be given a 2nd chance because I believe in the inherrent worth in human. That a mistake today does not remove your worth as a human being and your rights to have a 2nd chance. Even though some offenders might have deprived their victim of chances. So, yes, we all need chances in life, society needs to play their part to give this fellow humans a chance. They too must be willing to pick up the chance.
Love... The world will be a better place!
Anw... On 2nd thoughts, I do not really think ex-women offenders are more stigmatized. I am not sure actually. I mean for one, i believe many times when we talk about campaigns like the yellow ribbon, it is really for us to try to integrate them back into society, and largely the Singapore workforce especially. And beyond the compassion in us, the next reason why we wanna integrate these ex-convicts back into society because it just makes economic sense. We need a larger labour pool dn't we? And being in economistic Singaproe, there should be no reason why we reject this ex-convict IF and only IF they are willing to ensure that they will not create more trouble in the society i.e. disrupting their work.
ReplyDeleteHence having said the above, i was just wondering how large is the re-entry rate of the women ex-convict into the workforce. Is it difficult for them to find a job or is it just that most of these womem do not intentionally go back to the workforce? Just a thought. I mean, there are different gender roles in society right.
Also, could it also be because the women who seeks to integrate back into society do not mind lower end jobs, hence it really might not be too difficult for them to do so, as compared to male ex-convicts?
Just some thoughts. Because i think that women are not more stigmatized as compared to men. Not sure if i am making sense though...
hello! Yes i agree that we should give them a second chance =)
ReplyDeleteSingaporeans should learn to embrace mistakes and accept the ones who commited it. Since they want to turn a new leaf, we should encourage and spur them on.
do comment on my blog too =)
http://commtalks.wordpress.com
Yes i agree that we should give them a second chance too!
ReplyDeleteGiving them employment and social acceptance within the community would reduce recidivism rates of offenders too.
I suddenly think that it is not quite possible to hold an entirely non-judgemental attitude towards them as we are human beings. But what counts is how we allow them to integrate into the society and look beyond their past.
I agree that we need to give these ex-convicts a second chance. To me, I feel that it's like giving ourselves a second chance to accept them.
ReplyDeleteI detest the social norm which many think that ex-convicts are "dangerous" people. It seems to be this force that drives them back to their old ways.
Employment definitely would be a good way of improving the situation!
HELLOOO Shuling!
ReplyDeleteI like your analysis of topic! It was definitely cleverly thought through. Furthermore you pointed out a point which I’ve failed to realise- why is it always men who is being portrayed in the media as the ex-convict, and not women. Maybe it's because somehow we will automatically relate a criminal as a male (as you said Bacon’s Idol of Tribe and Idol of Cave) But there's is some truth in it though, as there is a higher percentage of men committing crimes as compared to women. More should be done to help women ex-convicts to be reaccepted by our society today.
hi this is shiqi here, i fully agree to wat you said and also to wat miss kat said. that it is true that it is more difficult for women to come out into the open if they are ex offenders. as we see in advertisements and wat the media shows and potrays, it is always males with loads of tatoos that looks like offenders. so maybe just maybe they should also show how a normal women with her normal life with kids and all but she's different, when it comes to looking for jobs, she's different cause her chances are lower, she's discriminated in a way that we dont see. only she herself feels therefore that leads to all the cooping up and us not being able to be an open society. we should give everyone chances, that is if they are truly repentent...
ReplyDeleteHi, I enjoyed reading this post very much! I agree that ex-cons are humans just like you and I, and that they deserve a second chance in life! hey, if they're willing to turn over a new leaf, why shouldn't we support them? Imagine if one day (God forbid), we commit a crime and end up in prison, wouldn't we want a second chance too? I hope many more people will start changing the way they view ex-convicts.
ReplyDeleteHello, actually I think that you have made a raelly good point. Recently, giving ex-offenders a 2nd chance has been more and more looked into, as we can see from advertisements on TV and the recent Yellow Ribbon Prison Run.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I feel that there are still some people having the incorrect mindset of them, thinking that they will still commit the same mistakes when you are released. I personally think that if they are willing to change, we should definitely give them a second chance. Let them show us through their daily activities and at the very least, give them a chance to prove themselves.
The Government is already placing emphasis on this, but I believe there are more things to be done. What about you?
Hey! I agree with you about giving ex-convicts a second chance. I'm sure it's also difficult for them to come back out into society and try to start over and we should only be supportive of them(:
ReplyDeleteHi, it’s a well written article! And I agree, it takes two hands to clap. Ex-convicts have to take initiatives themselves and perform at their best effort when a chance is given to them. However, before they could do so we need to remove the ‘label from them and treat them just like anyone of us. After all, who has not make mistakes before? Everyone should be given a second chance so that we can see the change in them and applause for the improvement/changes for the better they have made in their lives. Well Done Shu ling!=)
ReplyDeletehey i like that oldie =) a fitting song to this project yes you have potrayed what is being done for the publicity of the events concerning the yellow ribbon project. yes i agree with all the clichéd statements and all however i am also interested and eager to find out on the part of these ex-offenders, what are they doing to progress on to their next phase of their lives. hopefully you could show how some have integrated back into society, changing to fit into society, rather than how society adapting to support these people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you have said of giving the ex-offenders a chance, but will they cherish it? Recently i saw an ex-offender appearing in a TV show which features how chefs help different stall vendors to improve their business. Though the ex-offender participated in the TV show and hope for a change in life, he did not cherish it. He gave up halfway through, and was not remorseful at all. The people that placed high hopes on him were diappointed, even the chef himself that was unrelated to him went down to his place to find out the main problem that he could not turn up for the training sessions. The reason that he could not turn up was because i quarrelled with my mum yesterday thus i went to drink and was drunk. That's a plain stupid reason, and that was too irresponsible of him.
ReplyDeleteChances should be given to those people who are willing to change and not people like him.
hey i think it is good that your article reminded us about the goals of the Yellow Ribbon Project, that everyone at some point of time makes mistake and deserves a second chance. I guess the reason why there are events such as the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run is to let the public know that they play a part in supporting the ex-offenders and i strongly believe that if we can give our support to them, they will cherish the 2nd chance that is given to them.
ReplyDeleteEveryone deserves a second chance and I totally agree with that, no doubt. However, I believe that if you put this second chance on the table that is easy for everyone to grab, it will definitely not be treasured, or people might even start to abuse it. The YRP can help to raise awareness, but I believe everyone in the society should also be entitled to have their own views of ex-offenders and they should not be criticized for their lack of support for the ex-offenders.
ReplyDeleteHello, do you really agree that the point on ex-offenders having another chance? More often than not, society usually looks down and condemns such people making it difficult for them to find jobs. Despite this, would ex-offenders make full use of this second chance? Especially since many feel that they are likely to commit crimes for a second time.
ReplyDeleteHello there! I was reading your point about the organisers of the Yellow Prison Run having met their goals of creating awareness, generating acceptance and inspiring community action. Somehow, I feel that the presence of 6000 supporters does not necessarily generate awareness in the community. Furthermore, from your description of the event, I gather that little action as been made in trying to inspire community action regarding the whole issue of ex-offenders having a second chance. In my opinion, I somehow still feel that while the event in itself might have been successful, the organisation however, failed to achieve their goals for the event.
ReplyDeletePerhaps a reason why the social stigma regarding ex-offenders still exist is also due to the fact of the media. More often than not, you read articles in the papers regarding ex-offenders committing yet another crime for example. Also, we hardly see examples of ex-offenders who eventually become successful people. With the lack of exposure to success cases, it is understandable why majority of the public still have a negative view when it comes to ex-offenders.
In my opinion, I do agree with giving these people a second chance, as there are people who genuinely are willing to change for the better. However, I also feel that this gift of a second chance should not be given too freely to them, reason being that when this 'gift' is presented freely before them, one might take it for granted. Then when that happens, and ex-offenders become offenders once again and the vicious cycle continues, should we still give them another 'second' chance ?
Janus said...
ReplyDeleteHello! i feel that the Yellow Ribbon Run indeed has created awareness that we should give ex-offenders a 2nd chance. However, in regards to generating acceptance and inspiring community action, i feel that there is still a long way to go. Being aware is very different from accepting them. For example, many are aware that our actions are harming the environment, but out of these people, how few exactly try to protect the environment? However, this Yellow Ribbon run is still a important step to break the 2nd prison. :D
i thought perhaps the project doesnt exactly target WHY people are afraid to employ such people. w
ReplyDeletehen someone says something like, 'because hes a ex-convict!' it sounds kinda stupid and even childish. and if someone says something like, 'cus i feel that they r not trustworthy' (for eg), it allow officers to target the problem more effectively.
However, i think the reasons might all b q lame to begin with. but maybe in forcing ppl(employers) to give a reason for not employing ex-convicts, they might realise just how there is almost no basis for their fear. hopefully they achieve during self-reflection, and they start to change from inside out.
-v
I strongly believe that ex-offenders should be given a chance, be it males or females. :) Some of them do have skills that we do not possess. Hence, giving them a chance to be reintegrated to this society also means giving Singapore an extra source of manpower :) Nonetheless, this would also give Singapore a good repertoire.
ReplyDelete@bings
ReplyDeleteThanks for supporting my point. Prison break starts from me and you! :)
@nuabs
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree that upon granting that second chance, ex-offenders should cherish it instead of turning back their old ways. Though sometimes they may still bring disillusionment to us, I think that the attitude that they carry would influence our judgement too.
Also, I think we should be the ones making the first move. Its results are very positive, take 18 Chefs for example.
http://wineanddine.asiaone.com/Wine%252CDine%2B%2526%2BUnwind/News/Food%2B%2526%2BWine/Story/A1Story20070711-18013.html
'I want delinquents to know that life offers many alternative paths. You don't have to identify as a gangster, you can be a chef.'
Benny Se Teo, 18 Chefs' Head Chef.
In offering the second chance, he is also conveying his personal message to the ex-offenders. He wants them to know that their lives can be changed for the better if they make the move to accept a new role for their lives.
@Chu Yuan
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is hard to change the society's view on the ex-convicts. They are unlike the usual fallouts of the community, as they have a label on their backs wherever they go (literally, because their offence would be recorded and declared on forms like resumes).
However, I stand firm to the point that "it takes two hands to clap". This familiar saying brings us to the point that for them to successfully integrate back into the society, it would need acceptance from the community and the initiatives taken by the ex-convicts themselves. There are already rehabiliation activities planned for the ex-convicts to take on, and also the Yellow Ribbon Project works hand in hand with CARE Network Initiatives to help the ex-convicts. Therefore the primary focus of the Yellow Ribbon Project is on the community, and not the ex-convicts.
Thus, the second chance which we can freely give could possibly free them from the incarceration, allowing them to gain confidence to face the community without denying their past mistakes.
Read more here:
http://www.yellowribbon.org.sg/about-us/rehabilitation-of-offenders.html
@Sihui
ReplyDeleteI think you've pointed out something very relevant that I overlooked! Yes, an offence is unlike a fall. In the sense that an offence may inflict harm on a third party (rather directly). However, I would think that we are still on common grounds with the ex-offenders. This is because sometimes, our fall may also worry to our family, friends, significant other. Isn't that a third party effect as well? Though not as obvious and harmful as what an offence can potentially bring, I think it is enough for us to see the similarity.
I support your point that the inherent worth in human won't be altered just because of a mistake too! That is probably one of the implications when we put on the yellow ribbon.
To be honest, I'm also not sure of the "re-entry rate of the women ex-convicts into the workforce". I feel that ex-women offenders may not really be "more stigmatised", but rather, since people often have the impression that most of the ex-convicts are male (no offence, it's really how the media frames it. like in the Yellow Ribbon Project poster which starts this post). So there is a possibility that they rather deny this record so as to avoid people giving an extra stare.
And after much research on this topic, there are news articles that shows that there are women who did walk out of their comfort to run for a cause:
http://www.yellowribbonprisonrun.sg/images/turningPoint.jpg
Former drug offender Ms Adeline Foo is definitely a very good example. She has walked out of her past and changed for the better. She joined two other females, after-care coordinator Eleanor Wong and ex-offender Jean Kua in promoting "The Turning Point", a halfway house that runs rehabilitation programme, by holding on to a placard as they complete the run. Personally, I find it very meaningful and it's a statement they're making to the people who actually stigmatise ex-offenders in general. They empirical prove that ex-offenders deserve the second chance and are just as capable as any other.
@Li Ni
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment!
That's definitely the message that the Yellow Ribbon Project wants to communicate to the public. As long as the attitude is right, we should encourage and spur them on, just like you mentioned :)
@Corine
ReplyDeleteI think you've brought up a very good point! Offering employment opportunities and giving them social acceptance within our community would definitely bring down the *recidivism rates! Since they won't be idling, and would be preoccupied with rehabilitation.
I think having an entirely non-judgemental attitdue towards them is only common to us. Like I mentioned, it's part of our nature to be critical and judgemental towards ex-convicts. However, just like you've mentioned, "what counts is how we allow them to integrate into society and look beyond their past". Kudos to that!
*Recidivism is the act of a person repeating an undesirable behavior after they have either experienced negative consequences of that behavior, or have been treated or trained to extinguish that behavior. It is also known as the percentage of former prisoners who are rearrested. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recidivism)
@ Kai Ting
ReplyDeleteThere really seem to be such an impression on ex-convicts! People think that they're dangerous and threatening. I think that giving them the second chance is only right as it's our responsibility to offer acceptance if they're working hard on their rehabilitation. And just like you and Corine have mentioned, offering employment opportunities is effective and good in preventing them from going "back to their old ways" :)
@ Celeste
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm glad you liked it :))
Yes, it is a fact that female offenders don't make up the majority. It is also a fact that the number of female offenders is on the rise! So I think they need even more support in picking themselves up after their prison term :)
@ Shiqi
ReplyDeleteThe way the media frames criminals and offenders definitely influences how we associate them to a certain gender. If we see "Drug trafficker sentenced to jail", we would probably assume that the drug trafficker is male. I agree with you that there is a possibility that the discrimination female ex-offenders face may not be brought to light yet.
And pertaining to your last point, I still feel that "everyone deserves a second chance", though there may be a checklist in our hearts on whether they deserve it or not (like yours, they must be fully repentant). However, if we just freely give, I think it's like shining a torch at the end of the dark tunnel, telling them that there will be light if you are willing to walk out of it.
@Quack
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it! :DD
In offering a second chance, it's offering acceptance, which is also a perpetual need in humans, isn't it? (Also something all would need, be it offenders or not.) :) Though I'm not exactly sure if that'd suffice, at least I know it helps build the person up!
Lastly, I hope the same as you too!
@Zhirong
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree that people still have incorrect mindsets regarding the ex-offenders, since we have a great tendency to practice self-biasness (being less critical of ourselves, more critical about others).
I definitely agree with you that we can do more about it! :D
http://www.yellowribbon.org.sg/singapore-volunteer-opportunities/index.html
We can do our part by spreading the message or even volunteer at Yellow Ribbon Project programmes and events!
@bobs
ReplyDeleteIf only everyone think the same way as you do! I think we are all aware of the difficulties they face, and being supportive of them would really seem to be the only rational choice :)
@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteYes, of course! We would need to remove the labels we place on them. Personally, I feel that granting the second chance would not only “unlock the second prison” they are in it also opens the door of opportunities!
@luke
ReplyDeleteI’m glad that you would want to find out more about how ex-convicts get integrated back into society! There are many ways that we can find out about them. One of the ways is to visit the Yellow Ribbon Project website! Other points that I’ve actually raised are 18 Chefs and the other ex-convicts who showcased their talents at the Yellow Ribbon Project Run event. These are just some of the many examples. I believe there are definitely more!
@Serene
ReplyDeleteI watched that episode of the programme too! I agree with you that sometimes, it’s disheartening to see all people who show no sign of improvement even when given a second chance. However, I don’t think they make up the majority of the population of ex-convicts. To begin with, the recidivism rate in Singapore is not high. Thus, there are many others who truly deserve the second chance : )
@ning
ReplyDeleteThe Yellow Ribbon Prison Run is definitely one of the many events initiated by the Yellow Ribbon Project to promote public awareness pertaining to this subject matter. I believe that’s one of the reasons too!
@cheesoon
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone is entitled their rights to adopt whichever view towards the ex-convicts. The purpose of the Yellow Ribbon Project is not really to shape the view of the public, nor is it to force one to fervently promote the cause of the project. Rather, it is a mean to show how ex-convicts can be rehabilitated back to society and how people can help to echo that cause if they are willing to : )
@E.Ee
ReplyDeleteI really agree! This is because I can identify the plight of a person without being granted with a second chance. I think that “unlocking the second prison” is only successful if both ex-offenders and the public give themselves a second chance. Like mentioned above, it takes two hands to clap. One-sided commitment would only go to a waste. Thus, I would believe that the cause can only be complete if only there were joint efforts.
@Samuel
ReplyDeleteThank you for your enlightening comment!
I do agree that there is some flaw as I tried to equate the success of the event to the number of people who turned up. The goals of the event may not be explicitly met, but judging by the response in terms of the number of participants, do show some degree of success as the event has created an agenda for which the people can talk about, ponder upon.
Indeed, the media has the ability to shape perception of the viewers/readers on ex-offenders. Personally, I am upset that there is not much coverage on positive examples. However, I see efforts by the media to feature more people who have turned over a new leaf. Take for example the recent channel U programme, “P.S. I’m sorry”. The second episode featured a guy who was initially a delinquent tarnishing his own dreams and wasting the chances given by other people. Eventually, he realise his mistake and finally took up the chance his principal had always been giving him. In this case, wasn’t it because of the principal who gave him the chances unconditionally and constantly that allowed him to break that vicious cycle?
Some sources to view what it is about
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=147466&id=67028463687
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=125291074681
@Janus
ReplyDeleteIndeed, there’s still a long way to go! I understand that there’s a difference between awareness and acceptance too. I think acceptance would be an outcome of awareness. So taking the step to have the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run is also taking a step towards having more people accept the ex-convicts into society! : )
@v
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! Sometimes our prejudices towards ex-convicts are rather irrational, employers too. I sincerely hope that the Yellow Ribbon Project can tackle that problem as well!
@Cindy
ReplyDeleteYes man! I agree to what you’ve commented. Especially when the government keep saying that we have not achieved the optimum pool of manpower yet. We certainly need them and not waste resources :D