A Story of Determination and Growth Amidst Adversity
Jake, 29, is currently serving a 14-year sentence, but instead of succumbing to the bleakness of prison life, he chose to use his time wisely. After a 13-year hiatus from education, he picked up his textbooks once again, studying with unwavering focus. On February 17, he received his A-level results, achieving a C in H1 Mathematics — a testament to his hard work and perseverance.
Jake’s Story of Resilience
Jake’s journey in prison was not his first encounter with incarceration. This marks his fourth sentence, all related to drug offences. Despite the challenges, he decided to enrol in Prison School, determined to better himself and make his parents proud, particularly his father.
His decision to study surprised his parents, who had always supported him. During their visits, they expressed their pride in his determination to change his life. Jake was also motivated by the fear of falling behind in the workforce, knowing that without qualifications, he would struggle to re-enter society after his release. Having worked as a fitness instructor, he is now pursuing a degree in marketing to enhance his chances of finding work upon his release.
The Struggles Along the Way
Jake’s A-level journey was filled with challenges. He faced the difficulty of returning to education after over a decade and was confronted with drug withdrawal symptoms that hindered his ability to concentrate. To cope, he adhered to a strict routine of writing and rewriting the material, while relying on the support of his seven cellmates.
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated matters. Restrictions on tablet usage and limited access to the outside world meant that Jake and his peers had no immediate access to Google or other learning resources. Despite these hardships, Jake remained committed, attending classes from 8:30 am to 3 pm, five days a week, and studying until 10 pm with his fellow inmates. In his spare time, he would sometimes wake up early to get ahead on his work.
A Rigorous, Yet Supportive, Learning Environment
In a prison setting, where modern stress-relief methods like YouTube or TikTok are unavailable, Jake and his peers resorted to more traditional means, such as playing basketball and telling jokes to manage the pressures of their situation. After completing his A-level Maths exam, Jake feared that careless mistakes might result in a lower grade. However, his mother reassured him that she was proud of his effort, regardless of the outcome.
Support From Teachers and Family
Throughout his journey, Jake found motivation in the support of his family, friends, and teachers. Tan Teck Khiang, his Principles of Accounts teacher, was a steady source of encouragement. Having taught in mainstream schools before his posting to the Prison School, Tan was impressed by the determination of his students, including Jake. He described Jake as a “happy-go-lucky” student and was thrilled to see his hard work pay off.
Jake also credits his father as his biggest supporter. Their relationship had been strained in the past, but his father’s efforts to volunteer at the prison, teaching religious studies to other inmates, helped bridge the gap between them. His father’s understanding of Jake’s perspective helped to rebuild their relationship.
The Role of Prison Education in Reintegration
Prison School, located within the Tanah Merah 1 Institution, offers inmates the opportunity to pursue education during their incarceration. This initiative not only provides inmates like Jake with valuable qualifications but also helps to prepare them for reintegration into society upon release. With better qualifications, ex-offenders have a higher chance of finding employment and contributing positively to their families and communities.
This year, 16 candidates sat for the GCE A-Level exams at the Prison School, with ten candidates qualifying for polytechnic, private degree courses, or full-time university education.
