What to Expect
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.
About Birth & Rebirths
What does it mean to be reborn? For some, it is a spiritual awakening—being baptised, embracing a new faith, or finding solace in age-old rituals that mark a transition into a different way of living. For others, rebirth comes in the form of reinvention—leaving behind a troubled past, overcoming illness, or finding purpose after loss. From ex-residents who have rebuilt their lives, to individuals who have found strength in faith, community, or personal conviction, their stories remind us that transformation is always possible.
Through facilitated dialogues with the social workers, and people on the fringes of our society we hope to provide opportunities for participants to engage in candid and heartfelt conversations.
About the Organisation
PERTAPIS Halfway House provides for treatment and rehabilitative services to substance abusers, enabling them to reintegrate into society and be active contributors.
The Halfway House hosts 100 offenders or abusers placed under community based rehabilitation. Its skills development programs aim to provide the tools for a seamless re-integration in society.
About the Host
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.
Who should come?
- Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
- Participants are required to provide the last 4 digits of NRIC/FIN/Passport.
Programme Details
- Approximate Duration: 2 hours (Please arrive 15 minutes before the event for registration.)
- Language: English
- Meeting Point: Meet outside Pertapis Halfway House (50 Lor 34 Geylang, Singapore 398239)
- Ending Point: The event will start and end at the same point.
- The event will proceed rain or shine.
What to bring?
- Participants should be dressed respectfully in smart casual (i.e. collared shirt, long pants and covered shoes). Sleeveless attire, shorts/miniskirts or sandals are strictly not allowed. Participants will be denied entry if they dress inappropriately.
- Participants should bring along an umbrella and a bottle of water.
- Asthmatic individuals are encouraged to bring their inhaler.
Other important information
- Parking is available on street at Lorong 34 Geylang and Lorong 36 Geylang.
- The venue is not wheelchair friendly.
- Photography is not allowed during the event.
Disclaimer
- By agreeing to participate in the event, participants are responsible for any injury, loss or damage due to the negligence on his/her part or of the children under his/her charge.
- Participants must abide by the house rules set out by the host. Facilitators will brief participants at the start of the programme.
- Videos and photographs may also be taken during the event. By registering for this event, you give My Community full rights to use the photos for marketing and publicity.
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