Prison assaults up, with rise in young inmates, remand prisoners

The number of young inmates and remand prisoners in prisons increased in 2025, contributing to a rise in assault incidents, said the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) on Feb 9.

- Zaihan Mohamed Yusof Senior Correspondent

These young offenders are aged 16 to 21.

The population of young inmates increased to 418 in 2025, a 36.2 per cent hike from 307 in 2024.

The number of remand prisoners rose 21.4 per cent to 1,639 in 2025, from 1,350 in 2024, said SPS at a briefing on Feb 9 at Selarang Halfway House in Upper Changi Road North in conjunction with the SPS and Yellow Ribbon Singapore Annual Statistics Release for 2025.

The total inmate population for incare and community corrections sits at 11,427.

According to SPS, the higher numbers of these young offenders and remand prisoners contributed to an increase in assault incidents in prisons.

SPS said in a press release: “These categories of inmates tend to face more adjustment issues upon admission, are more impulsive and resort to violence when involved in disputes with fellow inmates. This led to an increase in assault incidences committed by young inmates and remand prisoners.”

The assault rate went up to 76.7 assaults per 10,000 inmates in 2025, from 54.4 in 2024.

This figure remains low compared with other correctional jurisdictions, said SPS, which said it maintains a zero-tolerance approach towards violence.