Singapore prisons adapt as inmate population ages, 1 in 6 aged 60 or older
In 2025, about one in six inmates in Singapore was aged 60 or older, compared with about one in 10 in 2019, according to the Singapore Prison Service.
Singapore's prison population is aging rapidly, with one in six inmates aged 60 or older in 2025, compared to one in 10 in 2019, according to the Singapore Prison Service (SPS). This trend reflects the broader aging population in the country. Many of these older inmates, like 71-year-old Desmond, face challenges such as difficulty adapting to new payment systems or struggling with addiction.
Despite these obstacles, Desmond hopes to complete his sentence and avoid reoffending. The SPS has adapted its approach by providing specialized care for older inmates at the Assisted Living Correctional Unit (ALCU), where inmates receive support with mobility issues and chronic illnesses. To assist these inmates in reintegrating into society, the SPS runs the Throughcare Management Services for Elderly Offenders (TMSEO) programme, which partners with Care Community Services Society to help ex-offenders find housing, rebuild social connections, and reintegrate into their communities.
However, many older inmates still face significant hurdles upon release, including limited social support, stigma, and the risk of reoffending.
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