THE fall from grace of former minister S. Iswaran was spectacular – from a private plane ride and plush hotel room at the Four Seasons, to a prison van and a straw mat for a bed in a single-man jail cell.
It marked the end of a career in public service that saw him rise through the ranks in the administrative service before his entry into politics in 1997.
Iswaran, 62, arrived at the State Courts on Monday afternoon. He was alone apart from a male relative who declined to be identified.
After handing over his identity card at Court 4A, he was led through a door used by convicts to the courthouse lock-up facility.
He was then moved to the basement carpark, where a Singapore Prison Service (SPS) van was waiting to take him to Changi Prison to serve out his 12-month sentence.
A spokesman for SPS said that all inmates, including Iswaran, will be subjected to the same treatment and rules.
“As SPS assessed that there is a higher safety and security risk for Iswaran to be housed with other inmates, SPS has housed him in a single-man cell.”
Inmates sleep on straw mats. Beds are provided only to those who require additional care, due to old age or mobility issues.
Inmates have regulated access to an electronic tablet in their cells, as well as e-learning materials and e-books.
The SPS spokesman said Iswaran will be allowed up to two visits, and may write up to four electronic letters every month.
On weekdays, inmates are given at least one hour out of their cells for recreational activities, which include sports and exercise, and access to newspapers, board games and television.
Criminal lawyers say inmates are typically segregated according to their prison terms and security risks.
Lawyer Cory Wong, director of Invictus Law Corporation, said the former transport minister remains privy to prior state secrets due to his former role as minister. He explained that such an arrangement could be made if Iswaran is assessed to be at risk of divulging state secrets under threat, duress or coercion by other inmates.
Said Wong: “It is not inconceivable that particular prison-housing arrangements would have to be put in place to segregate (him) from such at-risk inmates at the very least.”
While this is unlikely, it is not impossible, according to senior criminal defence lawyer Rajan Supramaniam from Regent Law.
Rajan, who was formerly a senior officer in SPS before becoming a lawyer, said that in his experience, no special arrangements are given to any inmates, regardless of their status.
“Security overrides everything in prison, so he may be kept in solitary confinement for his own safety if the prison deems fit, but he will still be allowed to mingle with other inmates on his yard time,” said Rajan.
Rajan and Wong said that in most cases, prisoners are granted a full one-third remission for good behaviour.
This means Iswaran may be released as soon as May 2025 after serving at least eight months, barring any issues of misconduct, the lawyers said.
Additionally, Iswaran may even be asked to serve out some of his jail term at home with electronic tagging, Rajan said.
“The chances of him being placed on home detention are very high, given he is a non-violent offender, similar to white-collar criminals,” Rajan added. — The Straits Times/ANN
