Father's Day surprise lights up inmates' hearts

Watching his teenage daughter and wife recall fond memories of their time together on video brought tears to Aziz's (not his real name) eyes.

- Emerald Lo

"I felt sad and really happy at the same time," said the 36-year-old father who is serving detention for drug consumption at Selarang Park Complex in Upper Changi Road North.

On June 12, Aziz and nine other incarcerated fathers were able to celebrate Father's Day because of a surprise planned by the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) and Centre for Fathering.

The 11th dad was unable to be at the event as he was attending a rehabilitation programme.

In the lead up to the surprise, the 11 inmates' 25 children recorded video messages expressing their longing and support for their fathers. They also wrote Father's Day cards to accompany the messages.

During the session, a video compilation was shown to the inmates, many of whom were moved to tears upon seeing and hearing their children on screen.

The inmates were then guided to reflect on and share their emotions in the group before writing letters to their children.