Internal Security Act
(Chapter 143, Section 8)
Internal Security (Detained Persons) Rules1
1  Extended to Singapore by Modification of Laws (Internal Security and Public Order) (Singapore) Order 1963 — L.N. 231 of 16.9.63.
R 1
G.N. No. S 189/1960

REVISED EDITION 1990
(25th March 1992)
[16th September 1963]
Citation
1.  These Rules may be cited as the Internal Security (Detained Persons) Rules.
Definitions
2.  In these Rules, unless the context otherwise requires —
“close relative” means the husband, wife, child, father, mother, brother or sister of a detained person;
“controlled drug” has the meaning given by section 2 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“detained person” means any person detained under an order of detention;
“hospital” means any premises used or intended to be used for the reception, lodging, treatment and care of persons who require medical treatment or suffer from any sickness, disease, injury or disability of mind or body;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“infectious disease” means any of the diseases specified in the First Schedule to the Infectious Diseases Act 1976 and includes any other disease —
(a)that is caused or is suspected to be caused by a micro-organism or any agent of disease;
(b)that is capable or is suspected to be capable of transmission by any means to human beings; and
(c)that a medical officer for any place of detention has reason to believe, if left uninvestigated or unchecked, is likely to result in an epidemic of the disease;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“medical officer” means a medical officer appointed for a place of detention under rule 8;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“mental disorder” has the meaning given by section 2(1) of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act 2008;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“officer” means —
(a)any officer-in-charge;
(b)any Superintendent;
(c)any Deputy Superintendent;
(d)any police officer; or
(e)any person employed at or deployed to a place of detention to perform any of the following functions or duties:
(i)maintaining the safety or security of the place of detention, or the safety, security or discipline of any person in the place of detention;
(ii)ensuring the safe custody of any detained person in the place of detention;
(iii)the conducting of any investigation relating to —
(A)any incident or matter involving the safety or security of the place of detention, or the safety, security or discipline of any person in the place of detention; or
(B)any offence under the Act;
(iv)the rehabilitation of any detained person in the place of detention;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“officer-in-charge” means an officer-in-charge appointed under rule 6;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“order of detention” means any order for the detention of any person made under section 8 of the Act;
“order of removal” means any order for the removal of any detained person or persons from one place of detention to another made under section 17 of the Act;
“place of detention” means any place specified as a place of detention in any order of detention or order of removal, and includes a rehabilitation centre;
“registered medical practitioner” means a person registered under the Medical Registration Act 1997;
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“rehabilitation centre” includes any place declared by the Minister under rule 88 to be a place for the rehabilitation of detained persons or of persons against whom an order of detention has been made but the operation thereof suspended under section 10 of the Act, and who have been admitted on their signed application to reside in such place;
[Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
“Superintendent”, in relation to a place of detention, means the Superintendent of the place of detention appointed under rule 6.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Administration of place of detention
3.  Subject to the directions of the Minister —
(a)the general charge and administration of a place of detention vests in the officer-in-charge of the place of detention; and
(b)the control of the officers employed at or deployed to a place of detention vests in the officer-in-charge of the place of detention, who may direct the deployment or transfer of any such officers within that place of detention, as the officer-in-charge thinks fit.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Superintendent to detain persons committed to his custody
4.  Every Superintendent is authorised and required to keep and detain all detained persons duly committed to his custody.
5.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Appointment of officers, etc.
6.—(1)  The Minister may appoint —
(a)any public officer as the officer-in-charge of a place of detention;
(b)any public officer as the Superintendent of a place of detention; and
(c)one or more public officers as Deputy Superintendents of a place of detention as the Minister thinks fit.
(2)  The officer-in-charge of a place of detention may issue and approve orders (called in these Rules standing orders) for the place of detention that are not inconsistent with these Rules.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Duties of Superintendent
7.—(1)  Subject to the orders of the officer-in-charge of a place of detention, it is the duty of the Superintendent of the place of detention to assist the officer-in-charge in the following matters:
(a)the supervision and administration of that place of detention;
(b)the conduct and treatment of the officers and detained persons under the Superintendent’s control;
(c)the due observance by officers and detained persons of the provisions of these Rules and of all written laws, standing orders, regulations and rules, relating to a detained person or place of detention.
(2)  If the Superintendent of a place of detention —
(a)is temporarily absent from duty or Singapore; or
(b)is, for any reason, unable to exercise his powers or perform his duties,
any Deputy Superintendent of the place of detention who is authorised by the officer-in-charge of the place of detention or the Superintendent, may exercise the powers or perform the duties, conferred or imposed on the Superintendent under these Rules.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Appointment of medical officer
8.—(1)  The officer-in-charge of a place of detention must appoint at least one medical officer for the place of detention in accordance with this rule.
(2)  A medical officer appointed under paragraph (1) must be a registered medical practitioner.
(3)  The officer-in-charge of a place of detention may appoint any registered medical practitioner to act temporarily as a medical officer for the place of detention during any period, or during all periods, when a medical officer for that place of detention —
(a)is temporarily absent from duty or Singapore; or
(b)is, for any reason, unable to perform his functions or duties.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
9.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
10.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
11.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
12.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
13.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Uniform and accoutrements
14.  Every officer shall be provided with such staves, arms, ammunition, uniform and other accoutrements as may be prescribed by the officer-in-charge.
15.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
16.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Use of weapons
17.—(1)  Every officer may use weapons against any detained person escaping or attempting to escape:
Provided that resort shall not be had to the use of any such weapons unless the officer has reasonable ground to believe that he cannot otherwise prevent the escape.
(2)  Every officer may use weapons on any detained person engaged in any combined outbreak or in any attempt to force or break open the outside door or gate or enclosure wall of the place of detention, and may continue to use such weapons so long as such combined outbreak or attempt is actually being prosecuted.
(3)  Every officer may use weapons against any detained person using violence to any officer or other person, provided that the officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the officer or other person is in danger of life or limb, or that other grievous hurt is likely to be caused to him.
(4)  Before using firearms against a detained person under the authority conveyed in paragraph (1), the officer shall give a warning to the detained person that he is about to fire on him.
(5)  No officer shall, in the presence of his superior officer, use arms of any sort against a detained person in the case of an outbreak or attempt to escape except under the orders of such superior officer.
(6)  The use of weapons under this section shall be, as far as possible, to disable and not to kill.
(7)  Every police officer, and every member of the Armed Forces or of any Force established under any written law, who is for the time being serving in the capacity of an escort guard or of a guard in or about a place of detention for the purpose of ensuring the safe custody of any detained persons in such place of detention shall be deemed to have all the powers and privileges granted to an officer under this rule.
Use of force
17A.—(1)  An officer employed at or deployed to a place of detention may use force on a detained person in the place of detention if —
(a)the use of force is necessary —
(i)to prevent the escape of the detained person from detention; or
(ii)to ensure the safety or security of the place of detention or the safety of any person in the place of detention;
(b)the use of force complies with the standing orders or guidelines approved by the officer-in-charge of the place of detention; and
(c)the use of force does not exceed what is reasonably necessary in the circumstances.
(2)  Where force is used on a detained person in a place of detention —
(a)the detained person must, as soon as practicable, be brought to a medical officer for the place of detention or a registered medical practitioner —
(i)to be examined for injury; and
(ii)for any injury and other observations to be recorded; and
(b)a report of the matter must immediately be made to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Officers to have powers of police officer
18.  Every officer who uses weapons or force against any detained person in accordance with rule 17 or 17A, respectively, is deemed to have all the powers, authorities, protections and privileges of a police officer.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
19.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
20.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
21.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Records
22.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must keep records of all matters of importance relating to either or both of the following:
(a)the place of detention;
(b)detained persons committed to the Superintendent’s custody.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Detained person’s complaints, etc.
23.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must —
(a)ensure that —
(i)a detained person in the place of detention who has any complaint or application to make in relation to the place of detention or the treatment or safety of a detained person in the place of detention, is allowed to make the complaint or application; and
(ii)the instructions of a medical officer for the place of detention are carried into effect; and
(b)pay special attention to a detained person who is in hospital or undergoing punishment.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Meals
24.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must —
(a)visit (or ensure that at least one officer designated by the Superintendent visits) the detained persons in the place of detention at least once a week;
(b)investigate any complaints that are made by the detained persons in the place of detention regarding their food, and take immediate action to remedy any complaints that are found to be justified; and
(c)ensure that every detained person in the place of detention is provided with regular meals consisting of food that is adequate and of good and appropriate quality.
(2)  A medical officer for a place of detention may recommend, for medical reasons —
(a)a change in the diet of any detained person in the place of detention; or
(b)that an extra serving of food be given to any detained person in the place of detention,
and the Superintendent of the place of detention must ensure that the recommendation is carried out without delay.
(3)  Where, in the opinion of a medical officer for a place of detention, the refusal of a detained person in the place of detention to consume any food provided to the detained person is likely to endanger or seriously affect the detained person’s health —
(a)the medical officer must, without delay after forming the opinion, give a written notice to the Superintendent of the place of detention about the refusal; and
(b)if in the opinion of the medical officer it is necessary to remove the detained person for observation or treatment at a hospital, the Superintendent may direct that the detained person be removed to and kept at a hospital for observation or treatment.
(4)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, without delay after receiving the written notice mentioned in paragraph (3)(a), inform the officer-in-charge of the place of detention about the refusal.
(5)  In this rule, “food” includes drink.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
25.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
26.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Dangerous illness or death of detained person
27.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, upon the dangerous illness or death of a detained person in the place of detention, give immediate notice of the illness or death of the detained person to the most accessible known relative of the detained person or of the deceased, as the case may be.
(2)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, upon the death of a detained person in the place of detention —
(a)give immediate notice of the death of the detained person to a Magistrate or Coroner, as the case may be; and
(b)report the death to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Mentally disordered detained persons
28.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, without delay after becoming aware that any detained person in the place of detention is or appears to be mentally disordered (called in this rule a mental disorder case), inform the medical officer for the place of detention about the mental disorder case.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Visitors to view place of detention
29.—(1)  The Minister may permit a person who has good reasons, to view a place of detention at reasonable hours accompanied by an officer.
(2)  A visitor to a place of detention must give his name and address and sign his name in the visitors book and is liable to be searched by order of the Superintendent of the place of detention.
(3)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may remove from the place of detention any visitor to the place of detention whose conduct is improper.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Keeping books and records
30.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must keep or cause to be kept —
(a)an admission register containing a record of the following information of all detained persons committed to the place of detention:
(i)the date of commitment;
(ii)the date at which such detention will lapse;
(iii)the name, age, height, weight, particular marks and general appearance of the detained person;
(iv)any other particulars that the officer-in-charge of the place of detention may require;
(b)a detained person’s effects book or record in the approved form;
(c)a detained persons’ punishment book or record, in which the Superintendent must record the following:
(i)the name of every detained person in the place of detention who has been punished for an offence;
(ii)the punishment inflicted on the detained person;
(iii)the name of the officer ordering the punishment;
(iv)the certificate of the medical officer for the place of detention as to whether the detained person is physically fit to undergo the punishment ordered;
(v)the date on which the punishment is inflicted;
(d)an official visitors book;
(e)a list of books and documents committed to the Superintendent’s care; and
(f)such other books or records as the officer-in-charge of the place of detention may direct.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Petitions by detained persons
31.  When the Superintendent of a place of detention receives a petition from a detained person in the place of detention, the Superintendent must, without delay, submit the petition to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention, for transmission to the Minister.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Retention and care of property
32.—(1)  Money and all other articles whatever in possession of, or sent in to, any detained person, not expressly allowed by these Rules, shall be taken from such detained person. Such property shall be inventoried in the register of property, which shall be signed by the detained person.
(2)  Any article of a perishable or dangerous nature may be destroyed.
(3)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must take particular care to see that every precaution is taken to ensure the safe custody of detained persons’ property and to prevent the loss or misappropriation of any such property.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Detention clothes
32A.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must provide every detained person in the place of detention with detention clothes.
(2)  Every detained person must wear the detention clothes provided to the detained person under paragraph (1).
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Reports to officer-in-charge
33.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must report to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention all escapes, serious assaults, outbreaks of disease or any occurrences of an unusual or serious nature in the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Action in case of emergency
34.  In cases of sudden emergency in a place of detention, the Superintendent of the place of detention must —
(a)take such action as may be necessary in the circumstances;
(b)enter the particulars of the emergency and the action taken in the records kept by the Superintendent; and
(c)promptly make a report of the emergency and the action taken to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
35.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Search of detained persons
36.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must ensure that —
(a)every detained person is strictly searched on admission to the place of detention; and
(b)all of the following things are taken from the detained person:
(i)any knife;
(ii)any weapon;
(iii)any instrument;
(iv)any money;
(v)any controlled drug;
(vi)anything that is —
(A)likely to facilitate escape;
(B)prohibited under these Rules; or
(C)objectionable in the Superintendent’s opinion.
(2)  The Superintendent may cause any dangerous or objectionable thing that is taken from a detained person to be destroyed.
(3)  A female detained person must not be searched except by a woman officer.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
37.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
38.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Unauthorised communications
39.  No officer or any person employed at or deployed to a place of detention shall make any unauthorised communication concerning any place of detention or detained person whatever, and shall not, without the written authority of the officer-in-charge, communicate to any person information derived from official sources or connected with his duties or the place of detention, and any such communication by an officer or a person (as the case may be) without authority will be regarded as a breach of confidence and will render him liable to dismissal.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
40.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
41.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
42.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
43.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
44.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
45.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Trafficking
46.  Every —
(1)  person who without lawful authority —
(a)conveys, supplies or causes to be supplied or conveyed to any detained person, or hides or places for his use any letter or document or any intoxicating liquor, tobacco, bhang or hemp, drug, opiate, money, clothing, provisions or any other article whatsoever;
(b)brings or attempts by any means whatever to introduce into any place of detention, or places or attempts to place where detained persons shall labour, any letter or document or any intoxicating liquor, tobacco, bhang or hemp, drug, opiate, money, clothing, provisions or any other article to be sold or used therein;
(c)brings or attempts to bring out of any place of detention, or conveys from any detained person any letter, document or other article; or
(d)communicates with any detained person; and
(2)  officer who without lawful authority —
(a)knowingly suffers any intoxicating liquor, tobacco, bhang or hemp, drug, opiate, money, clothing, provisions, letter, document or other article to be sold to or received or used by or on behalf of any detained person;
(b)lends or gives to any detained person any such intoxicating liquor, tobacco, bhang or hemp, drug, opiate, money, clothing, provisions or other articles; or
(c)knowingly suffers any letter, document or other article to be brought into or out of any place of detention, or to be conveyed to or from any detained person,
shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction by a Magistrate to imprisonment for 6 months and to a fine of $1,000, and an officer shall, unless the conviction is reversed on appeal, be dismissed from his office and all arrears of pay due to him may be forfeited.
47.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Custody during removal
48.  A detained person who is being removed or transferred from one place of detention to another, or for whose production at any place an order has been made, shall, while outside a place of detention be deemed to be in the lawful custody of the Superintendent of the place of detention from which he is being removed or transferred.
49.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Discharge of detained persons
50.  The Superintendent of a place of detention is responsible for the due discharge of a detained person in the place of detention immediately upon the detained person becoming entitled to release.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Escapes and offences connected therewith
51.—(1)  If a detained person escapes by breach of a place of detention or otherwise out of custody, he may be retaken in the same manner as a person convicted of crime against the law of Singapore may be retaken on an escape.
(2)  Any person who is guilty of the offence of so escaping or of attempting to escape, or of aiding or attempting to aid any such detained person so to escape, shall be deemed to have committed an offence against the law of Singapore, and may be tried and punished accordingly.
Attendance at place of detention by medical officer
52.  A medical officer for a place of detention shall, if necessary, attend at the place of detention daily.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Medical examination of detained persons
53.  A medical officer for a place of detention must —
(a)before any punishment is carried out in respect of any detained person in the place of detention, examine the detained person and certify whether, in the medical officer’s opinion, the punishment can be carried out without causing serious injury to the detained person;
(b)before any detained person in the place of detention is discharged or transferred to any other place of detention, examine the detained person;
(c)visit any detained person in the place of detention who is sick; and
(d)see, at least once daily, any detained person who is sentenced to close confinement in the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Case book and daily records
54.  A medical officer for a place of detention must —
(a)enter in a case book, which must be kept in the place of detention and accessible to the Superintendent of the place of detention, the following particulars in respect of each detained person in the place of detention who suffers from any sickness, disease, injury or disability of mind or body:
(i)the name of the detained person;
(ii)the sickness, disease, injury or disability, as the case may be;
(iii)the medical condition and treatment of the detained person; and
(b)keep daily records, containing the medical officer’s comments on the state of the place of detention and the medical condition of the detained persons in the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Reports to Superintendent about mentally disordered detained persons
55.  A medical officer for a place of detention must, without delay after becoming aware that any detained person in the place of detention is or appears to be mentally disordered, give to the Superintendent of the place of detention a written report containing —
(a)the medical officer’s diagnosis; and
(b)the medical officer’s recommendations on treating the detained person.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Recommendations to Superintendent for discipline or treatment of detained persons
56.—(1)  A medical officer for a place of detention must give a written report to the Superintendent of the place of detention about the medical condition of any detained person in the place of detention to which, in the medical officer’s opinion, the Superintendent’s attention should be drawn.
(2)  A medical officer for a place of detention may recommend, for medical reasons —
(a)a change in the discipline or treatment of any detained person in the place of detention; or
(b)that additional articles be given to any detained person in the place of detention,
and the Superintendent of the place of detention must, so far as is practicable, ensure that the recommendation is carried out.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Detained persons unfit for detention
57.—(1)  Where, in the opinion of a medical officer for a place of detention —
(a)the life of any detained person in the place of detention would be endangered if the detained person remains in the place of detention;
(b)any detained person in the place of detention will not survive his detention; or
(c)any detained person in the place of detention is totally and permanently unfit to be detained in the place of detention,
the medical officer must give a written notice to the Superintendent of the place of detention containing the medical officer’s opinion and the medical grounds for the opinion.
(2)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, without delay after receiving the written notice mentioned in paragraph (1), forward the written notice to the officer-in-charge of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Conditions in place of detention
58.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention must —
(a)ensure that the place of detention is maintained in a clean and sanitary condition; and
(b)take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and health of the detained persons in the place of detention.
(2)  Every detained person must keep his cell clean.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Death of detained person
59.  A medical officer for a place of detention must, upon the death of a detained person in the place of detention (called in this rule the deceased), enter in the medical officer’s records —
(a)the time of the death;
(b)the cause of the death;
(c)in the case where the cause of the death is a sickness, a disease or an injury —
(i)the nature of the sickness, disease or injury;
(ii)the time when the sickness, disease or injury was first observed;
(iii)the time when the sickness, disease or injury was first reported to the medical officer; and
(iv)the time when the sickness, disease or injury assumed a dangerous character;
(d)an account of the deceased’s appearance after death;
(e)the results of any post-mortem examination carried out on the deceased; and
(f)any other remarks that, in the medical officer’s opinion, are necessary.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
60.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Infectious diseases
61.—(1)  The officer-in-charge of a place of detention may, at any time, require any detained person in the place of detention to undergo a medical examination by a medical officer for the place of detention or a registered medical practitioner for the purposes of ascertaining whether the detained person is suffering from, or is a carrier of, any infectious disease.
(2)  Where a detained person refuses to undergo the medical examination mentioned in paragraph (1) or refuses to provide any sample necessary for the purposes of such an examination, the medical officer or registered medical practitioner (as the case may be) must, without delay, give to the Superintendent of the place of detention a written notification.
(3)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may, upon receiving a written notification mentioned in paragraph (2) in respect of a detained person in the place of detention, direct that the detained person be detained separately from any other detained persons until the detained person undergoes the medical examination mentioned in paragraph (1).
(4)  Where a medical officer for a place of detention ascertains that a detained person in the place of detention is (or is likely to be) suffering from, or is (or is likely to be) a carrier of, any infectious disease, the medical officer must without delay, give to the Superintendent of the place of detention a written report containing —
(a)the medical officer’s diagnosis; and
(b)the medical officer’s recommendations on —
(i)treating the detained person; and
(ii)preventing the spread (or possible spread) of the infectious disease to other persons.
(5)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may, upon receiving a written report mentioned in paragraph (4) in respect of a detained person in the place of detention, direct that —
(a)the detained person be detained separately from other detained persons;
(b)the detained person be removed from the place of detention to a hospital, or any place at which the detained person is required to undergo medical examination or medical treatment under section 8(1) of the Infectious Diseases Act 1976; and
(c)the detained person be detained separately under sub-paragraph (a), or kept at the hospital or place mentioned in sub-paragraph (b), until a medical officer for the place of detention or a registered medical practitioner of the hospital or place mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) certifies that the detained person is free from infection or that the risk of spreading the infectious disease to other persons is eliminated.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Occurrence of infectious disease
62.—(1)  In the case of a contagious or infectious disease occurring in any place of detention it shall be lawful to remove any of the detained persons from the place of detention to any other place and such removal may be made in pursuance of an order under the hand of the officer-in-charge.
(2)  Such other place as aforesaid shall be deemed during the continuance of any detained person therein to be a part of the place of detention from which the detained person was so removed, and when such disease shall have ceased, any detained person so removed from any place of detention shall be taken back to the place of detention from where he was removed, if still liable to be confined therein.
Custody of mentally disordered detained persons
63.—(1)  Whenever a detained person in a place of detention appears to a medical officer for the place of detention to be mentally disordered he may direct that the detained person be removed to any mental hospital or other fit place of safe custody and be there detained, and an order of removal signed by the Superintendent of the place of detention shall be authority for the reception of the detained person and for his detention therein until removed or discharged as provided in paragraph (2).
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(2)  Where a detained person who is detained in a mental hospital under these Rules is, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner of the mental hospital, no longer mentally disordered, the registered medical practitioner shall report accordingly to the Superintendent of the place of detention who shall, by order, direct the return of the detained person to the place of detention from where he was removed or to any other place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Serious illness of detained persons
64.  The Superintendent of a place of detention may direct that a detained person in the place of detention be removed from the place of detention to a hospital for medical treatment if —
(a)the detained person is seriously ill; and
(b)in the opinion of a medical officer for the place of detention, the place of detention does not have suitable medical facilities for the proper treatment of the detained person.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Return to place of detention
65.  So soon as, in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner of a hospital, it is no longer necessary that any detained person who shall have been removed to the hospital should remain therein, he shall transmit to the Superintendent of the place of detention from where the detained person was removed a certificate, stating that such necessity has ceased, and thereupon the Superintendent shall forthwith cause the detained person to be brought back to the place of detention if he is still liable to be confined therein.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Liability for escape
66.  If any detained person shall escape during such time as he is in any hospital, no officer shall be held answerable therefor, unless the detained person shall have been in the personal custody of that officer.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
67.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Special custody in hospitals
68.  Where a Superintendent considers it desirable to take special measures for the security of such detained person while under treatment in any hospital, it shall be lawful for him to give the detained person into the charge of fit and proper persons not being less than two in number, one of whom at the least shall always be with such detained person day and night, and such persons shall be vested with full power and authority to do all things necessary to prevent the detained persons from escaping, and shall be answerable for his safe custody until such time as he is handed over to an officer on his discharge from that hospital.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
69.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
70.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Punishment for minor offences by detained persons
71.  The Superintendent of a place of detention may punish any detained person in the place of detention found after due enquiry to be guilty of a minor offence as hereinafter specified by ordering him to undergo one or more of the following punishments:
(a)confinement in a punishment cell for a term not exceeding 5 days on punishment diet;
(b)deprivation for such period as the Superintendent may think fit of any privilege, whether relating to food, books, clothing, letters, visitors, or any other matter whatever, of which he may be in enjoyment; or
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(c)reprimand.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Punishment for aggravated offences by detained persons
72.  The Superintendent of a place of detention may punish any detained person in the place of detention found after due enquiry to be guilty of an aggravated offence as hereinafter specified by ordering him to undergo one or more of the following punishments:
(a)confinement in a punishment cell for a term not exceeding 7 days on punishment diet;
(b)deprivation for such period as the Superintendent may think fit of any privilege, whether relating to food, books, clothing, letters, visitors, or any other matter whatever, of which he may be in enjoyment; or
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(c)reprimand.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Minor offences
73.  The following shall be deemed to be minor offences:
(1)shouting or making unnecessary noise within a place of detention;
(2)quarrelling with any other detained person;
(3)assaulting or taking part in any attack on any other detained person;
(4)doing any act or using any language calculated to wound or offend the feeling and prejudices of any other detained person;
(5)using any abusive or indecent language or indulging in any indecent act or gesture;
(6)committing any nuisance in any place of detention;
(7)treating with disrespect any Judge, District Judge, Magistrate, Justice of the Peace or other person lawfully visiting any place of detention, or any officer or person employed in or in connection with a place of detention;
(8)refusing without reasonable excuse to eat the food provided in the place of detention;
(9)wilfully destroying food or throwing it away without orders;
(10)omitting or refusing to keep his person clean or disobeying any order designed to preserve the health of detained persons;
(11)tampering in any way with books, lights or other fixtures or fittings in a place of detention;
(12)stealing or without reasonable excuse interfering with the clothing or property of any other detained person;
(13)spitting on or otherwise soiling any floor, door, wall or other part of the place of detention or any article therein;
(14)wilfully or negligently damaging or destroying any article or thing whatsoever assigned for his use or entrusted to him by the authorities of the place of detention;
(15)wilfully or negligently damaging or destroying any Government property to which he may have access;
(16)malingering;
(17)refusing to undergo medical treatment;
(18)refusing or neglecting to comply with any reasonable order or direction brought to his notice in any manner;
(19)making any false accusation against any officer or any person employed in or in connection with a place of detention; and
(20)any other act, conduct, disorder or neglect which may reasonably be considered to be to the prejudice of good order or discipline though not specified in paragraphs (1) to (19).
Aggravated offences
74.  The following shall be deemed to be aggravated offences:
(1)mutiny;
(2)escape or attempt to escape;
(3)taking part in any assault or attack on any Judge, District Judge, Magistrate, Justice of the Peace or other person lawfully visiting any place of detention, or any officer or person employed in or in connection with a place of detention;
(4)aggravated or repeated assault on any other detained person;
(5)aiding or abetting the commission of any aggravated offence;
(6)inciting the commission of any offence; and
(7)the commission of any minor offence by any person who has on two or more previous occasions been punished under rule 71.
Medical examination before dietary punishment
75.  The Superintendent of a place of detention must, before carrying out a dietary punishment on a detained person in the place of detention —
(a)send the detained person to a medical officer for the place of detention for examination; and
(b)obtain a certificate from the medical officer stating that, in the medical officer’s opinion, the infliction of the dietary punishment will not be injurious to the health of the detained person.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Full diet after 3 days punishment diet
76.  Whenever a detained person is sentenced to undergo close confinement in a punishment cell for a period exceeding 3 days on a punishment diet, he shall be given full diet on every fourth day.
Maximum period of close confinement
77.  Confinement in the punishment cells shall not exceed an aggregate of 90 days in a year for any one detained person and the execution of any two consecutive sentences shall be separated by a period not shorter than the longer of such sentences.
Detained persons in punishment cells
78.  A detained person who is sentenced to confinement in a punishment cell in a place of detention —
(a)is not entitled to receive any visitors or see any persons except with the permission of the Superintendent of the place of detention, other than —
(i)officers who are performing their functions and duties in relation to the detained person; and
(ii)a medical officer for the place of detention; and
(b)may only take outdoor exercise that a medical officer for the place of detention certifies as being absolutely necessary for the detained person’s health.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
79.  [Deleted by S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Books, etc.
80.—(1)  A person under detention may, as far as is consistent with the proper discipline of the persons in the place of detention, have the use of books and papers, provided that all such articles are received or procured through the Superintendent of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(2)  A Superintendent may detain any paper or book which, in his opinion, contains any objectionable matter.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Visits
81.—(1)  A detained person shall, consistent with the proper discipline of the persons in the place of detention and subject as is hereinafter provided, be entitled to visits from his close relatives and legal advisers. In the absence of any close relatives, the Superintendent of a place of detention may grant permission for other relatives or friends to visit the detained person in the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(2)  A detained person in a place of detention must not, except with the express permission of the Superintendent of the place of detention, receive more than one visit a week from the detained person’s close relatives.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(3)  Not more than two persons shall be admitted to visit a detained person at any one time.
(4)  No visit shall last more than 30 minutes or any longer period that the Superintendent may allow.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(5)  A Superintendent or an officer, or in the case of a visit to a woman detained person, a woman officer shall, together with an interpreter in any case where the officer does not understand the language spoken, be in sight and hearing during the whole of any visit to a detained person, unless the Superintendent by an order in writing sees fit to dispense with any of the above requirements.
(6)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may remove from the place of detention any visitor to a detained person if the conduct of the visitor or detained person is improper.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(7)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may prohibit (temporarily or otherwise) any visitor from visiting a detained person in the place of detention if —
(a)during any previous visit to the place of detention, the visitor —
(i)insulted, intimidated, threatened or harassed any officer at the place of detention; or
(ii)behaved in a manner that is improper or that caused nuisance or annoyance to any other visitors at the place of detention; or
(b)in the Superintendent’s opinion, such visits are (or are likely to be) prejudicial to —
(i)the national interest, public order or internal security of Singapore;
(ii)the safety or security of the place of detention, or the safety, security or discipline of any persons in the place of detention; or
(iii)the orderly management of the place of detention.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Visitors may be searched
82.—(1)  A visitor to a detained person in a place of detention must provide the Superintendent of the place of detention or an officer authorised by the Superintendent with his name and address and, if the Superintendent or the officer has any ground for suspicion, he may search or cause to be searched male visitors and may direct a woman officer to search women visitors, but such search shall not take place in the presence of any detained person or of another visitor.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(2)  If any visitor refuses to be searched or if a Superintendent or such authorised officer is of opinion that the admission of the visitor would be prejudicial to security or good order in the place of detention, the Superintendent or the officer may deny him admission, recording the grounds of his refusal in the journal.
(3)  If any article is found as the result of a search which, in the opinion of a Superintendent or such authorised officer, is prohibited by the rules of the place of detention or likely to be dangerous to the health or life of any detained person or likely to facilitate escape from the place of detention, he may impound the article.
Letters
83.—(1)  A detained person may, consistent with the proper discipline of a place of detention, receive one letter and send one letter in any week.
(2)  The Superintendent of a place of detention (or an officer authorised by the Superintendent) shall read every letter written by or addressed to any detained person in the place of detention and if he considers it to contain any objectionable matter he shall detain it.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(3)  The decision of the Superintendent shall, subject to an appeal to the officer-in-charge, be final.
84.  [Deleted by S 464/2019 wef 01/07/2019]
Board of Inspection
85.—(1)  The Minister may appoint any two or more persons to constitute a Board of Inspection (referred to in this rule as the Board) for a place of detention.
(2)  The Board may visit the place of detention at any time and shall visit the place of detention at least once in every month.
(3)  The Board shall be entitled to inspect any part of the place of detention and shall in particular visit the sick in hospital and enquire into the condition of persons undergoing punishment in cells.
(4)  The Board shall hear any complaint (not being a complaint relating to the validity of a detention order or relating to the grounds on which a detention order was made) which any detained person may wish to make, and it shall be the duty of the Superintendent of the place of detention to inform the Board of any detained person who wishes to make a complaint. The hearing of a complaint shall be as informal as possible.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(5)  A minute book shall be provided at the place of detention in which the members of the Board shall record their visits and may enter any remarks and recommendations which they wish to make. A certified copy of the entries in the minute book for the preceding month shall be transmitted to the Minister on the first day of each month.
Recreational and other programmes
86.—(1)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may, for the purpose of promoting the wellbeing of any detained persons in the place of detention, require the detained persons to participate in any recreational, vocational or other programmes that the Minister may determine.
(2)  The Superintendent of a place of detention may decide not to require any detained persons in the place of detention from participating in all or any of the programmes mentioned in paragraph (1).
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Rules not to apply to detained persons in lock-ups
87.  Where the place of detention of a detained person is a lock-up appointed under section 4 of the Prisons Act 1933, these Rules shall not apply to the detained person or to the lock-up but the Prisons (Police Lock-ups) Regulations 2013 (G.N. No. S 684/2013) shall apply to the detained person in such lock-up.
[S 617/2023 wef 31/12/2021]
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
Rehabilitation centres
88.—(1)  The Minister may by order in writing declare any place to be a place for the rehabilitation of detained persons or of persons against whom an order of detention has been made but the operation thereof suspended under section 10 of the Act, and who have been admitted on their signed application to reside in such place.
(2)  The Minister may by such order —
(a)define the boundaries of any such place;
(b)prohibit the entry into any such place of any person unauthorised in that behalf by him or the Superintendent of such place;
(c)relax, modify, suspend, replace or add to or authorise the Superintendent of such place, by standing orders to relax, modify, replace or add to in respect of such place the provisions of these Rules or any of them for the purpose of extending the privileges of all or certain classes of persons detained therein or for conferring additional privileges upon them, subject in either case to such conditions, qualifications or restrictions as may be specified in the order; and
(d)authorise the Superintendent to issue from time to time standing orders for maintaining the safety or security of any such place, or the safety, security or discipline of any persons in any such place.
[S 617/2023 wef 08/09/2023]
(3)  Any person without lawful excuse entering any such place in contravention of the provisions of any order made under paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to 6 months’ imprisonment.
(4)  The provisions of these Rules and of any order made under paragraphs (1) and (2) and of any standing orders made thereunder shall, except as otherwise expressly provided therein, apply to any person, against whom an order of detention has been made but the operation thereof suspended under section 10 of the Act and who has been admitted on his signed application to reside in such place, in the same manner in all respects as they apply to a detained person residing therein.
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Last updated 1 Apr 2025
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