Families of death row inmates need longer notice of execution

Singapore has prided itself on its reputation for being tough on crime. Under our criminal justice system, the harshest and most final punishment meted out to an individual is the death penalty.

Capital punishment has an impact not only on the convicts but also their families, friends and community.

In Singapore, death sentences are carried out on Fridays, and families of death row inmates are informed of the hanging on the Monday of that week.

Senior Minister of State (Home Affairs) Desmond Lee said recently that the prisoner’s family is allowed to visit “more frequently and for an extended period of time” (“Desmond Lee speaks in Parliament on Feb 6”; Feb 6, Channel NewsAsia).

While this is true, four days is insufficient, given the enormity of the ordeal. The short notice can be seen as a punishment for the family, who have committed no crime.

Within this period, the family must visit and comfort the inmate, make funeral arrangements, buy clothing for the inmate’s pre-execution photo session and deal with the psychological turmoil of a loved one’s imminent death.

The challenges only grow for non-resident low-income families, who have an added struggle to afford the trip to Singapore and the post-execution arrangements.

In the case of Kho Jabing, who was executed last May, his family could visit him before his execution only with support from Singaporeans and Malaysians who contributed towards the costs of their travel and accommodation.

Without such help, they would have been unable to see their son and brother for the final time.

Mr Lee also said in Parliament that physical contact between inmates and their families is not allowed for safety reasons.

I understand that the prison authorities must be conscious of security, but I would reiterate the finality of a death sentence and the emotional struggle it puts loved ones through.

The only opportunity family members have now to touch the inmate is in court, where they slip their hands through a slit in the glass separating the dock from the court to hold hands with the prisoner.

The families I have worked with have told me how important these opportunities for physical contact are in helping them through a traumatic situation, and I urge the authorities to consider allowing some physical contact during visits.

The writer is a founding member of We Believe in Second Chances, which campaigns for the abolition of the death penalty in Singapore.