A Father’s Second Chance: How Inmate Fathering Programs Are Changing Lives

Behind every locked gate and high wall, there are fathers who still dream of being present for their children. They long to guide, protect, and nurture, even if past mistakes have taken them away from home. At Institution B3, something extraordinary is happening — fathers are being given a second chance to rebuild their families through the Inmate Fathering Programmes, a collaboration between Singapore Prison Service and Bapa Hebat Singapore (BHSG).

These programmes are not just about parenting classes. They are about hope, love, and the courage to change. Fathers are encouraged to:

• Rebuild trust and connection with their children.

• Learn practical parenting skills that prepare them for the future.

• Develop emotional resilience to face life’s challenges with strength and compassion.

For many, these steps mean the difference between a broken relationship and a renewed bond with their families.

Program that Open Doors

The journey begins with three unique pathways:

🌱 Fathering Journey Programme – a six-month commitment for penal inmates, where they practice communication, parenting, and planning for life after release.

🌱 Fathering Bootcamp – a shorter two-month programme for Drug Rehabilitation Centre inmates, giving them essential fathering skills in their limited time.

🌱 Fathering Circles & Support Groups – safe spaces where fathers can continue learning, share struggles, and support one another in being better parents.

With the help of the Fathering Playbook, these men also sit together in small groups, reflecting on their lives, discussing real parenting challenges, and discovering new ways to nurture their children.

Numbers that Tell a Story of Growth

What started small is now touching many more lives:

• 16 fathers in 2022

• 32 fathers in 2023

• 65 fathers in 2024

Each number represents a family waiting with hope. Each father carries the possibility of a child growing up with love, guidance, and presence.

Words from the Fathers

The most powerful stories are those shared by the fathers themselves:

“This course gave me the confidence to start writing to my children. I learned that involvement, consistency, awareness, and nurturing are essential for building strong relationships.” – 39-year-old father of two young sons

“This course has deepened my commitment to fulfilling my role as a father. Prisons should offer more initiatives like this in the future.” – 55-year-old father of three children

These voices remind us that no one is too far gone to choose change, and no father is beyond the reach of redemption.

Why This Matters to All of Us

When fathers come home better prepared to love and guide their children, families grow stronger. And when families are strong, our communities are stronger too. This partnership between Singapore Prison Service, Bapa Hebat Singapore, and the CARE Network is proof that change is possible — and that every effort to restore a father’s role creates ripples of hope for generations to come.

Because in the end, fatherhood is not about where you are, but about who you choose to be for your children.