My life experience in Changi Prison (Cluster B)

[joew2005]

Originally Posted by cucujiao

You should have consulted a lawyer before you pay back the money. It's likely that you have also given a positive statement to the police inculpating yourself. Be prepared to serve time. The problem here is the police never inform you of your rights before they asked for your statement. There's a Recent High Court case on this. And it's likely to be tested again in a recent murder case coming up for trial. What you need now is a lawyer.

not all these professionals r realli helping u.
some lead u thru the long route, so that they can milk more $ fr u.
some lead u 2 unnecessary route, so that they can milk $ out of u.
instead of helping u,some r in fact doing more harm 2 u.

[Gara]

Chapter 3.1: The 'Uncle' & The 8-Men Cellroom at B4

While walking from B2 to B4, my mind recalled back a inmate whom I have met and chat with earlier on in the Yard room while we were waiting for our haircut. I addressed him as 'uncle'. Ageing about late 70 , he is a first time offender. He was sentenced for 2 weeks jail Term for not paying fines accumulating up to $6000. He stay with his wife and no children. His wife is only few years younger than him but is not as healthy as him. 'Uncle' is a hokkien speaking inmate whom can't communicate in english. Due to his poor background and health condition of his wife, he still have to work for survival inspite of his current age.

He was being fine for operating and selling fruits without license at public areas such as MRT Stations & Bus Interchange Stations. Needless to say, he was being caught again and again and received his summon tickets (fine up to $300 per ticket). Dragging and unable to pay, he was called up to attend court and was sentences to jail in default of his fines.

Till now, I can remember what he told me: " I will still do back my same trade again after my release although the judge had warned me not to commit again. But what can I do and who is going to support me and my wife's health expenses if I don't work?"

So do he really have a choice?

Even if there are communities which can assist his problem, what concerns me is can assist till what limit?

Beside fines and jail, aren't there any other solutions that are able to solve this issue?

I really hope I can have a chance to meet 'Uncle' again and have a coffee with him!

--------------------

There are about 40+ of us (Inmates that were being locked up in the same storey of B2) whom have transfer to Cluster B4, We were later bought to HU3 (Housing Unit 3 located at level 5 & 6 of Cluster B4). We proceed to the Yard room of H3, collecting our new set of belongings (the same type of items which we have previously returned to B2). A briefing of the house rules were also conducted by the cookies followed by the officer-in charge at the Yard room. There are a total of 3 dayrooms (divisons) in HU3 and a hugh group of inmates including me were assigned to Dayroom 3. Inside Dayroom 3, there are a total of 10 cell rooms at level 5 and another 10 cell rooms at level 6. Every single cellroom which consists of 2 'doorless' toilet, size about 250 sqt (double the size of my cellroom at B2), can lockup max. up to 8 inmates! Sadly to say, I was separated from my 3 roomates. Together with other inmates whom had been assigned to the same cellroom as me (total 8 inmates), we to proceed cellroom No:629.


---To Be Continued (Chapter 3.2: My 7 new room mates)--

[OngLengKi]

Originally Posted by Gara

Now only have cluster A and B, CPC are bulding up Cluster C now.

Bro Gara,

What are the difference between Cluster A, B and C ?

Thanks

[OngLengKi]

Originally Posted by Gara

Chapter 3.1: The 'Uncle' & The 8-Men Cellroom at B4

While walking from B2 to B4, my mind recalled back a inmate whom I have met and chat with earlier on in the Yard room
--------------------

There are about 40+ of us (Inmates that were being locked up in the same storey of B2) whom have transfer to Cluster B4, We were later bought to HU3 (Housing Unit 3 located at level 5 & 6 of Cluster B4). We proceed to the Yard room of H3, collecting our new set of belongings (the same type of items which we have previously returned to B2). A briefing of the house rules were also conducted by the cookies followed by the officer-in charge at the Yard room. There are a total of 3 dayrooms (divisons) in HU3 and a hugh group of inmates including me were assigned to Dayroom 3. Inside Dayroom 3, there are a total of 10 cell rooms at level 5 and another 10 cell rooms at level 6. Every single cellroom which consists of 2 'doorless' toilet, size about 250 sqt (double the size of my cellroom at B2), can lockup max. up to 8 inmates! Sadly to say, I was separated from my 3 roomates. Together with other inmates whom had been assigned to the same cellroom as me (total 8 inmates), we to proceed cellroom No:629.

Hello Gara,

I don't quite understand why you are being transferred from one cell to the other ?

Thanks

[Gara]

Originally Posted by Lennyberg

TS dun give up in life...

wanna share with u a little of my experience. about 8years ago i was involved in a fight. kenna catch by mata shortly after being shoot by my own gang members. i was sentenced to RTC. was at the old MCP for around 4mths before they mass move everyone to cluster A4. around 3mths later i manage to get a chance to go KBC to redo my o levels. really lucky for me.

decided to turn over a new leaf after that as luckily RTC sentence is consider as a juvenile record after 5years all good again. when i came out finally after 20mths and sit for my olevels i managed to pass it with rather good results.

thereafter i went on to complete my diploma and then my degree in accountancy. now im doing my CFA also. so after working hard this few years im an accountant with a MNC

dun give up in life ya? all will be good. also stay away from the casinos. its a evil place. hahaha...

ps: i agree with some guys here.. QPR seriously sux was camped in there for 3wks. machiam suana like that! and also 2mths is holiday camp lah.. but i also agree that the mental torture suxs. it took me like 12mths before i could really relax and not think abt outside everyday when i was inside den again once in awhile the movie will start to play again!

remember on the first day i came out i went to have wonton mee for lunch, drank coke like siao. den chili crab curry chicken for dinner. reach home immediately lao sai! too healthy food that was served inside!

Thanks.. Your experince is also a motivation of turning point for us

[Liquid]

Question - in prison can shave? If not allowed to shave cause maybe the shaver can be used as weapon, then won't those serving long sentences look like a caveman after release? Very curious about it. Thanks!

[SWINGER888]

Originally Posted by Liquid

Question - in prison can shave? If not allowed to shave cause maybe the shaver can be used as weapon, then won't those serving long sentences look like a caveman after release? Very curious about it. Thanks!

shaving is only during yard time except sat and sun ...

the cookie will issue to u and u have to q up and best some use it to shave their cock hair but its an offence to shave cock hair but it seems the malays bro like to shave till no hair cos i saw one get caught and kanna jialet jialet from officer....

[Ichigowaffles]

Thanks for sharing your experiences


What is your next step?

[chanda]

Deleted. Deleted.

[Gara]

Originally Posted by joew2005

not all these professionals r realli helping u.
some lead u thru the long route, so that they can milk more $ fr u.
some lead u 2 unnecessary route, so that they can milk $ out of u.
instead of helping u,some r in fact doing more harm 2 u.

So any brothers here got any good lawyers to recommend for future reference?

[Gara]

Originally Posted by OngLengKi

Hello Gara,

I don't quite understand why you are being transferred from one cell to the other ?

Thanks

Its a procedure from CPC. I have tried cover and explain as much as possible in my story already. Maybe any brothers here care to add in any other reasons which i have leftout?

[Gara]

Originally Posted by Liquid

Question - in prison can shave? If not allowed to shave cause maybe the shaver can be used as weapon, then won't those serving long sentences look like a caveman after release? Very curious about it. Thanks!

We are to shave during our yard time..(its a offence for not shaving) Will cover that soon in my story

[Gara]

Originally Posted by Ichigowaffles

Thanks for sharing your experiences


What is your next step?

Wait till 28th aug to get my freedom back fully, then find job and return debts. Did have a few job offers from readers and my roomates from CPC. Shall wait till 28th then c how ba..

[Gara]

Originally Posted by chanda

4 man cell or 8 man cell. Is it normal to masturbate in the open concept toilet?
Will the inmate bully the weaker by forcing them to relieve them or offend them?
Report to officer, will they help?

Is there any button to intercomm with officer if emergency?

Masterbute is a offence. So far never heard about these incidents from the long-term sentences inmates. Yes, there is a intercommn in our cellroom for emergency

[KevinJacob]

Hey bro looking at your thread made me want to step forward and share my experience. Not exactly mine but my dad. After reading your thread it made me recall those scenario when i attended court to attend my dad sentence. Moments like watching my dad being handcuffed saddens me a lot and the last hug i had when my dad's lawyer asked for a stand off to decide if he wanted to

1st : Appeal for his sentence which would be delayed for about 2-3months.
2nd : To serve his sentence immediately
3rd : To serve his sentence 1 week later

My dad chose the 2nd option as his lawyer told him it was the best/ideal choice as the faster he get over with it, he can start a new life earlier rather than appealing and delay the process cause my dad was definitely bound to serve and appealing would only have a 50/50 percent chance. 3rd option was definitely a NO as during that 1 week, you will definitely be unable to sleep etc.

My dad was sentenced to cluster B as well, white collar on the 2nd of June if i didnt remember wrongly. In case some bro are curious what offence my dad actually made, please allow me to elaborate.

My dad runs his own business and in order to be favored, under table give the project manager $ in return of multi-million dollar project and ship repair etc. Though its inevitable in this industry, unfortunately my dad didnt do his paper work properly. Besides, he has a low level of education and was once a taxi driver and worked his ass off to achieve all that this family have currently. His ex-worker who is a burmese ( Operational Manager ) actually quarreled with him and infront of all the staff and challenged my dad to fire him if he wasn't happy with him. Thus my dad terminated him and he went to complain to MOM that when he was working for my dads company, safety measures were not implemented. In the end MOM drop the issue as they visited my dad company and realize everything was up to standard.

So my dad itchy backside also go counter sue him back till that guy bankcrupt and demanded an apology on newspaper. End up that guy bui song go report to CPIB saying my dad under table give $.

The investigation went on for 2 years and in June 2011 was sentenced to 14weeks of imprisonment. My dad was damn devastated upon hearing the verdict as he was expecting 8-10weeks. There was a moment of hesitation in him but he wanted to start anew asap. Thankfully, he served only 5 weeks and went through a course in the jail and was permitted home detention.

He only served 9weeks+ as there is always a 33.33% discount from the final verdict. Means if judge send you to 3 years, you only serve 2 years. Plus 1 month only can visit 2 times. 1st time tele-visit ( webcam ) and 2nd time face to face at Changi prison. Webcam have to go geylang 1 of the police station.

This experienced i went through will always stay with my heart as it made me treasure my father more. The atmosphere at the court was damn solemn and i cried non-stop. The first few days was damn tough for me. But it made me strong and a better person.

Anyway bro, after reading your story maybe by chance my dad know you. Hehe!