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How do our ex-convicts reintegrate into society after serving time behind bars?
Gain deeper insight into the rehabilitation and reintegration journey of former offenders with a visit to Pertapis Halfway House—one of only two Muslim halfway houses in Singapore. More than just a place of temporary residence, this halfway house offers transitional support and substance abuse treatment to help residents rebuild their lives and prepare for re-entry into the community.
As part of the visit, you’ll hear directly from a former resident who will share candid reflections on life before and after incarceration. Listen to their personal journey—how they coped with prison life, their experiences at the halfway house, and the challenges and triumphs of starting anew outside the prison gates. Their story offers a human face to the statistics, and a reminder of the resilience and determination required to turn one’s life around.
You’ll also tour the facilities, including the shared dormitories where residents live side-by-side in mutual support, the prayer hall where daily muster, prayers, and motivational lectures are held, and the vocational training areas where residents engage in leatherworking, paper shredding, or furniture moving. These activities not only impart practical skills, but also instil discipline and a renewed sense of purpose.
With over eight years of dedicated service at Pertapis Halfway House (PHH), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Bin Jumadi brings both lived experience and deep empathy to his role as a Social Worker Aide. Having served in various capacities—from the facilities team to the programmes team—he is now an integral part of the support network that helps ex-offenders reintegrate into society through stable employment, housing, and family reconciliation.
Iskandar is known for his ability to build trust and forge strong bonds with residents. His understanding of the challenges they face is rooted in personal experience, having witnessed close friends and family members struggle with drug use. This connection allows him to engage meaningfully with clients across all phases of their recovery journey—from DRC 1 through 4 and into long-term rehabilitation. His responsibilities often extend beyond office hours, including night duty, giving him unique access and insight into residents’ needs.
For Iskandar, religion serves as a vital pillar of recovery. While PHH does not impose prayer or fasting, he believes that faith, guided by the principles of halal and haram and grounded in the Five Pillars of Islam, offers residents a moral compass and sense of stability. Encouraging clients to break out of their comfort zones, he supports them not only in healing but in building a new life rooted in discipline, accountability, and hope.
May Hui is an active volunteer with My Community, contributing as a heritage guide and facilitator for tours and cultural programmes. She also brings significant experience from her longstanding roles as a docent with Singapore’s heritage institutions, including the Indian Heritage Centre, Malay Heritage Centre, and Sun Yat Sen Nanyang Memorial Hall, where she has guided diverse audiences through Singapore’s history.
May’s volunteerism extends beyond heritage work: she has spent over a decade mentoring inmates as a volunteer with the Singapore After-Care Association (SACA), helping them prepare for reintegration into society. For her, these seemingly different volunteer activities share a common thread—unlocking “prisons of the mind” by encouraging openness, curiosity, and learning.
In My Community, May’s dedication as a volunteer guide reflects her passion for engaging the public, sharing stories that connect individuals to Singapore’s past while inspiring them to explore more deeply.
Her guiding approach is meticulous and thoughtful; she is known for weaving historical details into narratives that resonate personally, ensuring that every visitor leaves not just informed but motivated to continue exploring.
Particpants are required to wear covered shoes and long pants. Please do not wear perfume or apply repellent for this tour.
Parking is available on street at Lorong 34 Geylang and Lorong 36 Geylang.
My Births and Rebirths
My Births and Rebirths
My Births and Rebirths
My Births and Rebirths
My Births and Rebirths
My Births and Rebirths
