Juvenile Offenders in Singapore
| Author | Wing-Cheong Chan |
| Pages | 63-77 |
Juvenile Offenders In Singapore
63
JUVENILE OFFENDERS IN SINGAPORE
Wing-Cheong Chan, Associate Professor, National University of Singapore
Abstract
This article will examine the prevalence of crimes committed by juvenile offenders in
Singapore, trace the measures taken to address such offenders (such as probation, community
service, institutionalisation and so on), look at the success of such measures and, finally,
comment on the recent spate of gang activities leading to severe injuries and the measures
currently being considered.
Introduction
Singapore is no different from most, if not all, countries in the world which recognise that
young persons are different from adults and that young offenders should be dealt with
through special measures*. Singapore’s former Chief Justice, Yong Pung How, in Public
Prosecutor v Mok Ping Wuen Maurice, said:
Rehabilitation is the dominant consideration where the offender is 21 years and below. Young
offenders are in their formative years and chances of reforming them into law-abiding adults
are better. The corrupt influence of a prison environment and the bad effects of labelling and
stigmatisation may not be desirable for young offenders. Compassion is often shown to young
offenders on the assumption that the young ‘don’t know any better’ and they may not have had
enough experience to realise the full consequences of their actions on themselves and on others.
Teens may also be slightly less responsible than older offenders, being more impressionable, more
easily led and less controlled in their behaviour. (1998: paragraph 21)
A ‘juvenile’ in Singapore is defined in legislation as ‘a male or female person who is 7 years
of age or above and below the age of 16 years’ (Children and Young Persons Act: section 2).
Hence, only those who are between 7 and 16 years old may be brought before the Juvenile
Court. Those who are between 16 and 21 years old, however, are considered as young adults
and suitable consideration may be given to their youth in terms of sentencing by the adult
criminal courts**.
* This is in fact required under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Article 40. Singapore and
most countries in the world are parties to this Convention.
** A new Community Court was established within the adult court structure in 2006 to cater to those between
16 and 18 years old (as well as other categories of cases) in recognition that this group also requires a less
punitive approach. It would appear that the Community Court adopts the same approach as the Juvenile Court
towards these ‘youthful offenders’ but unfortunately the Community Court was not created by statute and
therefore it can be easily terminated or its objectives changed.
To continue reading
Request your trial