At 74, she travels two hours to Changi Prison every week to counsel inmates: ‘I don’t want to give up on them’

Choo Choy Lian, a 74-year-old Singaporean, devotes her time to volunteering at Changi Prison every Sunday. She has been doing so for 15 years, traveling two hours by public transport to reach the inmates. Choo, who works as a volunteer for the Singapore Buddhist Federation (SBF), believes in the importance of patience, understanding, and providing a second chance to those who have strayed from the path.

Her journey to the prison began after she noticed a regular customer at her workplace, a traditional Chinese medical hall, purchasing large quantities of syringes. This incident sparked her curiosity about why people deviate from their paths and if she could help them.

During her sessions, Choo conducts meditation and breathwork exercises to help the inmates relax. She believes that emotional volatility is common among the inmates and that patience is essential in guiding them towards self-reflection. Choo has observed that some inmates come from unstable backgrounds, while others are driven by greed or obsessions, which lead them down the wrong path. Her role is to accompany them on their journey towards growth and self-improvement.

Choo's efforts have not always been successful, and she has experienced heartbreak when some of her former inmates reoffend and return to prison. However, she remains committed to supporting them even after their release, keeping in touch with them through a chat group and offering encouragement. Choo believes that the real challenge lies in helping inmates reintegrate into society, where they may face issues like housing, employment, and family rejection. Ultimately, she hopes that her guidance and support can help some of them turn their lives around.