Prosecutors seek reformative training for Amos Yee

SINGAPORE — Prosecutors are now seeking reformative training — a more severe rehabilitative sentencing option that involves being held in an institution for at least 18 months — for teenage blogger Amos Yee after he rejected the option of probation.

The 16-year-old, who was convicted earlier this month of posting an obscene image online and posting content intended to hurt the religious feelings of Christians, was supposed to attend interviews to assess his suitability to be sentenced to probation. But he refused to meet his probation officer and told her on May 20 that he did not want probation.

An urgent closed-door hearing was convened in the State Courts today (May 27) with prosecutors and Amos’ lawyers to submit on the development in the case.

Speaking to reporters after the brief hearing in the afternoon, Deputy Public Prosecutor Hay Hung Chun said the teen has also made publicly available his offending video and blog post. He was required to remove the content as part of his conviction two weeks ago and did so briefly. But the video and blog post in question were discovered to again be in the public domain on May 21.

The prosecution is seeking reformative training because it is another rehabilitative sentencing option, albeit more structured and controlled than probation, said Mr Hay.

He also told the judge that Amos is a misguided youth who seeks attention by deliberately posting provocative content online, and is likely to keep repeating his pattern of offending conduct.

A term of imprisonment or a fine would have no rehabilitative effect on Amos, he added. 

Reformative training, on the other hand, will provide the necessary structure and discipline that Amos’ present circumstances lack, and will be conducive to his rehabilitation.

Amos’ sentencing, which was expected to take place on June 2, may now happen later. A report to assess suitability for reformative training, which is an option for offenders below the age of 21 and deemed to be unsuitable for probation, typically takes up to four weeks.

According to an affidavit filed by police investigator Jason Chua, who was in charge of Amos’ case, the teenager had failed to attend sessions with his probation officer, and his parents — who showed up in court with him today — felt there was no need for them to meet the probation officer as their son was not keen.

Amos had spent 18 days in remand before his trial earlier this month, but has been out on bail of S$10,000 since his conviction on May 12. Since then, he has been active on social media and has also attracted attention by making allegations about his former bailor Vincent Law.