2023: Asked how does Singapore house transgender prisoners

Recently, I learnt about the incarceration of a transgender person who identifies as a female but was born with male genitalia in a female prison in Scotland for the offence of committing double rape of women. This, naturally, raised an outcry as a result of which, the person was transferred out of the female prison. I wanted to understand how our Singapore Prison Service deals with transgender persons. Hence, I filed a question asking for the Ministry’s approach on the matter. Minister Shanmugam provided a detailed explanation of how transgender persons are housed in prison. My parliamentary question and Minister Shanmugam’s response are set out below.

Mr Murali Pillai asked the Minister for Home Affairs what is the Ministry’s approach towards the housing of transgender persons in prison settings in Singapore, having regard to the recent situation in Scotland where a transgender person, convicted of double rape of women, was initially housed in segregation in an all-female jail.

https://muralipillaisg.medium.com/singapores-approach-towards-housing-of-transgender-persons-in-prison-settings-5548a48f8404

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/fullreport?sittingdate=07-11-2023

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0vPKicSdqr/

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2022: Supported repeal in the name of equal treatment, dignity, respect

On my view, I can be relatively brief. This is because I had already articulated my views on this matter in 2018 when I was interviewed by CNA. Then, I stated my support for the repeal of section 377A. I said that anyone, regardless of his sexual orientation, is deserving of equal treatment, dignity and respect. No one should be treated as social outcasts. I also advocated a holistic review of the matter, before any legislative decision is made, to address the legitimate concerns that the repeal of section 377A may have an impact on important institutions such as marriage and family.

I therefore have no hesitation in supporting the carefully calibrated provisions in these Bills today. Repealing section 377A is the right thing to do. Homosexual males in consenting relationships will no longer be viewed as criminals and we would have taken a decisive step in removing the stigma that they previously faced. This is the main principle underlying the repeal. I am indebted to the hon Minister Shanmugam for painstakingly reviewing the provision based on materials stretching back to the 16th century. Listening to him, it seems to me that the legislative objective behind the equivalents of section 377A is also rather obscure.

https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=bill-605