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Touching and Transforming Lives
Teen Challenge (Singapore) seeks to provide solutions to the pressing needs of the marginalized in our community. This is because we believe in the potential that is contained in each life. We want to provide inspirational and quality rehabilitative and therapeutic approaches that can set oppressed lives free through the uniqueness of the human touch and the awareness of God.
Since our founding in 1976, we have always attempted to identify and respond to contemporary youth issues at the street level and today, we continue to do so. Teen Challenge (Singapore) is a registered Volunteer Welfare Organization providing faith-based and community-based programmes & services located at its 2 Centres.
  
Alternative Sentencing
We are accustomed to the notion that when a person commits a crime, he should be punished through imprisonment. While that is true, Alternative Sentencing provides another perspective. It addresses appropriate punishment without the need for incarceration.
Alternative Sentencing is therefore punishment that focuses on the need for rehabilitation. Some of these Sentences include Supervised Probation, Electronic Monitoring, and Drug or Alcohol Treatment Programmes. Alternative Sentencing can also include fairly innovative punishments such as installing breathalyzer devices (“ignition interlocks”) in cars that belong to those who are convicted for drunk driving so that the car will not start unless the offender blows into the device and has “clean” breath, attending lectures given by crime victims, or even for offenders to teach classes on the dangers of criminal behaviour.
Even though Alternative Sentencing does not involve imprisonment, it is important to note that it is still punishment and this punishment must fit the crime committed accordingly.
Eligibility and Advantages
We acknowledge that though Alternative Sentencing encompasses rehabilitation, not all offenders are eligible to be sentenced without imprisonment. There are some questions to be considered, “Is the person a first time offender? Did the person’s mental health condition affect his behaviour at the time of the offence? How old is the person at the time of the offence? Ultimately, the decision should be weighed and decided by the Criminal Justice.
However, we hope to bring about awareness that rehabilitation is the key in reducing recidivism and restoring lives back to offenders, and that we should consider Alternative Sentencing when it is appropriate.
In light of this, we hope to raise awareness on Alternative Sentencing through the sale of ribbons in the month of October. All the ribbons are hand-made by our residents of DARE Centre (halfway house). We would be expressing this cause on various platforms and hope that you would join us in building a more inclusive society.
Let’s show our support towards this worth cause by wearing the Black and Red ribbon in October every year! |
