Indefinite detention for serious hurt and sexual crimes: Recent cases of ex-convicts reoffending prompted review, says MHA

While the recidivism rate for criminals has generally declined over the years, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has observed “a number of cases in recent times” where ex-convicts of serious hurt and sex crimes reoffended not long after release from prison. 

These cases were what prompted a recent review of whether more should be done to protect the public from such dangerous offenders, MHA said on Thursday (April 14).

The ministry was replying to TODAY’s queries about an announcement in Parliament earlier this month that the Government was studying proposals to have these offenders detained until they are assessed to “no longer pose a threat” to the public, instead of being automatically released after serving their jail term.

MHA said on Thursday that the proposed sentencing option will not affect the vast majority of offenders, who will continue to receive the usual punishment of fines or fixed terms of imprisonment, or both.