The Yellow Ribbon Project (; ) started on 2 October 2004, is a community initiative organised by the Community Action for Rehabilitation of Ex-offenders (CARE) Network in Singapore. The Yellow Ribbon Project advocates a second chance for ex-offenders and their families through concerted efforts and for ex-offenders to reintegrate into society.
It also engage the community to accept and engage in community action to accept and support ex-offenders and their families.
Description Every year, more than 9,000 ex-offenders in Singapore complete their sentences and are released from the various prisons and drug rehabilitation centres (DRCs). The Yellow Ribbon Project's objective is to raise awareness of the need to give second chances to ex-offenders and their families and inspire community action to support rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders back into society.
The Yellow Ribbon Project is managed by the CARE Network. Members of the CARE Network include Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), Singapore Prison Service (SPS), Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE), National Council of Social Service (NCSS), Industrial & Services Co-operative Society Ltd (ISCOS), Singapore After-Care Association (SACA) and Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA).
The inspiration behind the Yellow Ribbon Project was taken from the 70s song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree", sung by Tony Orlando and Dawn, which is in turn based on the true story published in a 1971 article in The New York Post.
Almost nine in 10 Singaporeans are able to identify the aims of the initiative according to a survey Khushwant Singh, 11 September 2008. "More bosses offer jobs to ex-cons". The Straits Times. Retrieved 19 October 2013 conducted by the Yellow Ribbon Project organisers. Beyond awareness, the Yellow Ribbon Project also actively encourages employers Ng Puay Leng, 4 March 2012. "More willing to hire ex-offenders" . Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 19 October 2013 and volunteers to offer second chances to offenders who are willing to change for the better.
YRP Themes Since its inception, YRP has set a different theme each year.
2004 Creating Awareness Help unlock the second prison2005 Engaging the Community Give ex-offenders a second lease of life2006 Engaging the Ex-offenders Widening the reach, deepening the message2007 Giving Back Extending the reach, inspiring action in inmates and ex-offenders2008 Beyond Just Words Going beyond awareness to action by actively engaging the community2009 Giving Back Inmates and ex-offenders playing a role in society2010 Coming Together, We Care Engaging the community for action to help ex-offenders reintegrate2011 Little Gestures, Big Difference Encourage everyday gestures that signify acceptance of ex-offenders by the community2012 Will Inspire inmates and ex-offenders to take charge of their own rehabilitation and contribute to the society2013 Celebrating 10 years of Second Chances – The Road to Acceptance Stronger community engagement to empower Singaporeans with the opportunity to be part of the movement
History
2004–2008 The Yellow Ribbon Project was established in 2004 by the various CARE Network's member agencies. Former President of Singapore, Mr S.R. Nathan officially launched the community engagement campaign at the Yellow Ribbon Project Charity Concert. A special album featuring songs performed by inmates was produced in commemoration of the inaugural Yellow Ribbon Project in 2004.
In 2005, the campaign introduced the Tie-A Yellow-Ribbon Walk which encouraged more Singaporeans to learn about the offenders' journey of reintegration.
The Yellow Ribbon Concert, "New Hope, New Dreams", was held in 2006 to launch the third edition of the community campaign. The concert featured celebrities performing alongside inmates and was broadcast on local television.
A series of events was held in 2007 to raise funds for the Yellow Ribbon Fund. The events included the Yellow Ribbon Culinary Competition, Yellow Ribbon Charity Gala Dinner, and the Yellow Ribbon Appreciation Dinner.
In 2008, 467 foreign delegates, government officials, academics, aftercare professionals and community partners attended the Yellow Ribbon Conference on "Aftercare: A Collaborative Approach"
2009–2012 The inaugural Yellow Ribbon Prison Run was launched on 6 September 2009, and saw the participation of more than 6,000 runners. A contingent of 80 reformed ex-offenders also participated in the Run.
The Yellow Ribbon Project was themed "Little Gestures, Big Difference" in 2011, and sought to engage more inmates and ex-offenders to step forward to share details of their reintegration journey and to give back to society.
The 2012 edition aimed to inspire inmates and ex-offenders to take charge of their own rehabilitation and continue to give back to society. This marked the first year that grassroots divisions were engaged to recruit more volunteers to render assistance to the families of inmates.
2013: 10th Anniversary Since its inception in 2004, the Yellow Ribbon Project has attracted more than 380,000 members of the community to participate in its activities and 1,500 community partners to show their support to the cause through various initiatives. In a survey conducted by the organisers to measure community support, the Yellow Ribbon Project achieved 97% awareness.
Yellow Ribbon Events
Yellow Ribbon Prison Run (2009–present) One of the Yellow Ribbon Project's signature annual event is the Yellow Ribbon Prison Run. The inaugural Yellow Ribbon Prison Run was first held in September 2009, which attracted 6,500 participants. Funds raised through the event go towards the Yellow Ribbon Fund to rehabilitation and reintegration programmes for ex-offenders and support programmes for their family members.
Local marathon icon, Madam Jenap, was involved in a personal 12-hour challenge to raise funds for ex-offenders in 2012. In 2013, a record 1,230 run participants came together to form a Giant Human Yellow Ribbon in celebration of 10 years of YRP. The formation was recorded in the Singapore Book of Records.
Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition (2007–2017)
Yellow Ribbon Project's Changi Prison Artist Mentor Programme is an annual collaboration between the Yellow Ribbon Project and Singapore Art Museum, with the aim to facilitate the rehabilitation of inmates through creative art making under the guidance of selected artist mentors. In 2017 the artist mentor of Changi Women's prison was British artist Nicola Anthony, whist local Singaporean artists Barry Yeow, and Kim Whye Kee were the mentors of Changi Men's Prison. The annual Programme cumulates in an exhibition of the inmates artworks. In 2017 it was held at the Singapore Art Museum taking over two gallery spaces and running alongside the solo exhibition of Nicola Anthony who made artworks inspired by the inmates she had been mentoring, as well as other disenfranchised communities she had worked with in Singapore. The 2017 exhibition was titled 'For Better Endings and New Beginnings', and revolved around the themes of love, hope, optimism, reflection, and tomorrow.
In addition to the Art Exhibition, the artist mentors are often asked to create a collaborative work which symbolises their response and experience of working with inmates to teach art and build confidence. A commissioned sculpture installation titled 'Flow of Time' commemorates the 2017 exhibition, and is the collaborative artistic response of Nicola Anthony, Barry Yeow, and Kim Whye Kee.
Yellow Ribbon Art Competition (2007–2011) The Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition provides a platform for inmates and ex-offenders to express their hopes and aspirations through art, showcase their artistic talents, foster closer family relationships and communicate with the community.
The Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition was first held in 2007 at The Arts House. Out of the 73 pieces of artworks, ten were winning entries selected by Japanese artist Kon Saishu. The Yellow Ribbon Art Competition was also held from 2008 to 2011 and the artworks were also showcased at the Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition. The exhibition was then held at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 2008 and at the Singapore Art Museum from 2009 onwards. In 2012, the Yellow Ribbon Community Art Exhibition 2012 featured artwork by inmates from Changi Women's Prison for the first time.
Celebrating Second Chances Awards Ceremony (2006, 2008, 2011 and 2013) The first Celebrating Second Chances Awards Ceremony was held in 2006. As an encouragement for the continued commitment of those who have stayed crime- and drug-free, ex-offenders receive tokens of commendation at the biennial event. In conjunction with the Yellow Ribbon Project's 10th anniversary, a new Celebrating Second Chances Award category was created to honour four organisations and two individuals. A commemorative book chronicling 10 years of YRP was also launched at the 2013 ceremony.
Yellow Ribbon Charity Golf Tournament (2008, 2010 and 2012) The first Yellow Ribbon Charity Golf Tournament was held in November 2008. The second and third editions of the tournament were held in 2010 and 2012. The biennial event consisted of the golf tournament and an appreciation dinner for participants of the tournament, donors and sponsors of the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Proceeds raised through the event went towards the development and implementation of family support programmes to strengthen family ties of inmates and ex-offenders.
Yellow Ribbon Song Writing Competition (2006, 2010) The Yellow Ribbon Song Writing Competition was organised as part of the Yellow Ribbon Project Creative Festival. The competition was conceptualised as part of the inmates' rehabilitation programmes and is used as a platform for inmates and ex-offenders to express their hopes for acceptance.
The Yellow Ribbon Song Writing Competition started in 2008 with twelve inmates competing in the finals. 76% of inmates achieved distinction for the internationally recognized music theory exam by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), proving the strength of rehabilitation through music.
• 2013 onwards
Launched in 2013, the annual competition is aimed at rehabilitating inmates and allowing them to express themselves while picking up new skills. Jointly organised by the Yellow Ribbon Project and Composers and Authors Society of Singapore (COMPASS), the volunteer-led initiative is a channel for inmates to express their hopes for acceptance and forgiveness from their family and friends. Another aim of the Yellow Ribbon Song Writing Competition is to aid in rehabilitation and provide them with skills that would improve their employability.
Yellow Ribbon Concerts (2004, 2006 and 2008) The first Yellow Ribbon Concert was held in October 2004 to mark the launch of the community campaign. Besides featuring local and foreign artistes, reforming offenders and ex-offenders also shared their experience of rehabilitation and reintegration through drama, song and dance. Local celebrities who participated in the concerts included Dick Lee, Shiek Haikel, Azrina Ahmad, Koh Chieng Mun, Mark Lee, Sharon Ismail, Jai, Nathan Hartono and Project Superstar Season 1 winners, Chen Wei Lian and Kelly Poon. Regional artistes including Taiwanese singers, Wakin Chau, B.A.D, Tension and Chinese singer Anson Hu have also participated in the various Yellow Ribbon Concerts.
Yellow Ribbon Culinary Programme (2007)