Thanks to Project Hope, a pilot initiative by the Singapore Prison Service and local schools, incarcerated parents can maintain a vital connection with their children through scheduled video calls that update them on their children’s school lives and personal wellbeing.
- Inmates get quarterly video calls with their school-age children.
- 134 inmates and 186 children currently participate in Project Hope.
- Family support is key to reducing risks for children of incarcerated parents.
What happened
Project Hope is a collaboration between the Singapore Prison Service and schools that allows incarcerated parents to see and talk to their children via video calls every three months. These calls enable parents to stay updated on their children's academic progress and day-to-day lives despite physical separation.
Since starting in 2022, the program has involved 134 inmates, 186 children, and 79 schools, with further schools in discussion to join. The initiative takes place amid broader efforts to maintain family ties during incarceration, recognizing the importance of parental involvement for children’s stability and emotional health.
Why it feels good
Maintaining connection with their children provides incarcerated parents with a sense of purpose and hope. For parents like Fai, who has been serving a lengthy sentence, these calls help bridge the emotional and physical distance and allow him to continue giving moral support to his teenage children during their crucial developmental years.
The program addresses a critical concern: children of incarcerated parents are at a higher risk for negative outcomes, including involvement in crime. By supporting family bonds, Project Hope offers these children a lifeline, helping them feel less alone and more supported through a difficult chapter.
What to enjoy or watch next
For those interested in the impact of social support programs on vulnerable families, following Project Hope’s development presents an inspiring and hopeful story of innovation in correctional rehabilitation. Watch how technology bridges divides and strengthens families.
Keep an eye on future expansions of the program, including the inclusion of more schools and more inmates, which could provide even wider access to such valuable family connections. Additionally, exploring community and government efforts addressing the challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents can further deepen understanding and support for these families.