LIFE AFTER
INSIDE MAXIMUM
SECURITY
For the past two months, Graceson Ang, 37, and Tian Boon Keng, 34, have been enjoying a taste of what it would be like to be free men again.
Put on community-based programmes since late May, the two men - who were among five inmates featured in the series Inside Maximum Security - have been spending the tail end of their sentences at a halfway house and work release centre, allowed out to work during the day.
CNA has been following them both as they transition to life beyond bars, for an episode to air later this year. For now, here are two major milestones in their journey so far.
For the past two months, Graceson Ang, 37, and Tian Boon Keng, 34, have been enjoying a taste of what it would be like to be free men again.
Put on community-based programmes since late May, the two men - who were among five inmates featured in the series Inside Maximum Security - have been spending the tail end of their sentences at a halfway house and work release centre, allowed out to work during the day.
CNA has been following them both as they transition to life beyond bars, for an episode to air later this year. For now, here are two major milestones in their journey so far.
GRACESON:
FATHER'S DAY
KISSES
Sunday, June 19.
It's a big day for Graceson.
He grabs breakfast at the canteen of The Helping Hand halfway house, where he’s been staying since end-May.
Sunday, June 19.
It's a big day for Graceson.
He grabs breakfast at the canteen of The Helping Hand halfway house, where he’s been staying since end-May.
At 7.13am, he’s at the operations room to scan out.
"Very excited because it's been so long since I can really go out,” he says, and for good reason.
After four weeks at the halfway house, he’s got leave to head home for the first time – and it just so happens to be Father’s Day.
He has not been home with his wife and three children in nearly four years.
In prison, he could see his children only when they were able to visit, or request for a phone call under certain circumstances.
In one emotional moment in the series, he spoke to his eldest daughter, who had been acting up at home in his absence.
Now, approaching their flat, it can’t help but bring back “a very bad memory” – the day he was arrested at home.
He was in possession of a weapon at the time, and police officers had descended on him with “shields (and) everything”.
“My children were there. They saw me arrested.”
In all, he was sentenced to six years and five months in jail plus 21 strokes of the cane, for carrying weapons, drug consumption and criminal intimidation.
But now, when he gets to the door, there is only joy.
“My children were there. They saw me arrested.”
In all, he was sentenced to six years and five months in jail plus 21 strokes of the cane, for carrying weapons, drug consumption and criminal intimidation.
But now, when he gets to the door, there is only joy.
“The door was open and my kids were inside waiting there, ready for me to come in.”
Handshakes special to them are exchanged.
There are presents for dad - chocolates and snacks he did not expect.
And there are touching notes from his daughters.
“I hope after November we can all be a family again,” writes one, alluding to when Graceson will finally finish serving his sentence.
“We will always support you and care about you!”
There is “heart pain” also.
As he looks at the photos taken while he was away, Graceson knows he’s missed out on vital years with his children.
They are his motivation to stay away from “temptations” such as smoking – which is against the halfway house’s rules, he says.
But overall, the visit has laid his initial anxieties to rest.
Graceson, who has been in jail thrice before, says:
“I thought this time, I’d have to … spend more time with them (to rebuild bonds)."
“It didn't turn out like this.
I
find that there isn’t really a gap (between
us).”
At The Helping Hand’s 11am church service, he holds them tight.
Hopefully, they will be motivation enough for him to stay out of prison for good.
“Before I want to do anything, I’ll think of
my family first.
I promised them I
wouldn't leave them again.”
Saturday, July 23.
“Please remain positive, okay? I don’t want to see you here (again), I want to see you outside.”
Correctional unit officer Muhammad Ridzuan Kamarudin says these parting words as Boon Keng prepares to step out the doors for the last time … again.
The two have built a rapport of sorts, in Boon Keng’s two months at Selarang Park Complex Work Release Centre.
Ridzuan even jokingly nicknamed him “superstar” after watching him in Inside Maximum Security.
At the time of filming, Boon Keng was serving a three-year, six-month sentence for theft, drug consumption, criminal breach of trust and breach of Personal Protection Order.
About three months after the series aired,
Boon Keng was transferred here to
prepare for life outside.
In June, he started work as a guest services agent at a hotel, clocking in and out of Selarang every day.
On his last morning, Boon Keng packs up his stuff for the last time, and fills in a feedback form.
All the Selarang correctional unit officers
have been “thoughtful and understanding”,
he says.
He takes a final shower.
Personal toiletries are one of the small luxuries allowed to supervisees (as they’re called at the centre, not “inmates”), compared to prison’s standard-issue items.
Boon Keng has also been allowed to grow his hair back - which he can style in front of large mirrors, another frill not found in maximum security.
In the “search room”, he puts on his shoes and collects his personal effects.
Valuables cannot be kept in the dorms, and supervisees leave their shoes, money, mobile phones and watches here every time they return from work.
The final stop - a check in with his reintegration officer.
Boon Keng, who’s being released under a remission order, will be subject to tight supervision as part of the Mandatory Aftercare Scheme for selected ex-offenders at risk of re-offending, or in need of more support with reintegration.
He listens closely as his reintegration officer, Simon Lee Hai Chuen, explains the do’s and don’ts. For instance:
He must remain indoors between 10pm and 6am. He must present himself for drug tests. He mustn’t tamper with his electronic monitoring device.
Boon Keng, who has been in jail thrice before,
thinks he’ll be okay -
“I believe I won't commit any crimes
or flout any rules”.
Then it's time to go.
“I cannot wait to watch TV past midnight today at my own place!” he crows.
“Finally, no need to come back to this place,” he adds, waving goodbye to the building.
Hopefully, he will never be back.
THE ROAD AHEAD
Life outside trying to fit back into society won’t be easy.
To find out where both men’s paths lead them, stay tuned for the upcoming documentary.
Both their reintegration officers have reminded them of the sobering realities while offering bolstering words of encouragement.
The conditions of the aftercare scheme are strict, Lee told Boon Keng, but added: “I'm quite sure you can complete it. You've been doing well during the community-based programme”.
As Graceson’s reintegration officer, Ponnarasi Gopal Chandra, put it: “Life is not going to be a bed of roses - but neither is it going to be just thorns.”
WATCH MORE
Inside Maximum Security:
TEXT & INTERVIEWS
NEO CHAI CHIN
LIU ZIQING
EVE
VOIGTLANDER
PHOTOS
JEREMY LONG
MARCUS MARK RAMOS
DESIGN & LAYOUT
CLARA HO
VIDEOS
FROM THE SERIES
INSIDE MAXIMUM SECURITY