External placement order
59B.—(1)  The Minister may, if he is of the view that it is more appropriate for a prisoner to serve the prisoner’s sentence in a place other than a prison, direct the Commissioner to make an external placement order in respect of the prisoner for a period not exceeding 12 months.
(2)  The Minister may direct the Commissioner to extend the duration of an external placement order for one or more times, by a period not exceeding 12 months each time.
(3)  In determining for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) and section 59H(1) whether it is more appropriate for a prisoner to serve his sentence in a place other than a prison —
(a)the Minister shall have regard to the following factors:
(i)that it is ordinarily in the public interest that prisoners serve their sentences in a prison; and
(ii)the threat, if any, likely to be posed by the prisoner to public safety if he is released or continues to be released on external placement; and
(b)the Minister may have regard to the following factors:
(i)the physical condition of the prisoner;
(ii)the mental condition of the prisoner; and
(iii)any other relevant circumstances.
[Act 1 of 2014 wef 01/07/2014]