SMSes from MSF will carry the sender ID "MSF". Any other SMSes claiming to be sent by MSF should be ignored and deleted.
The MSF website may undergo scheduled maintenance on 24 June, 10pm to 25 June, 6am. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Probation Order

Topic(s): Rehabilitation

Key Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme

  • Probation is a community-based sentencing option by the Court when dealing with offenders who may otherwise be sent to penal or corrective institutions such as MSF Juvenile Homes, Reformative Training Centre, or the Prisons.

  • Probationers can continue with most of their day-to-day activities such as school, work or National Service.

  • Parental involvement is a key component in the probation process.

  • The Probation Officer will regularly discuss the probationer's progress with the parents, school or employer and update the Court on the progress.

Probation Period

  • Between 6 months to 3 years.

  • Under the supervision of a Probation Officer under Section 5(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, Cap 252.


Probation Conditions

The probationer is expected to comply with certain conditions stipulated by the Court, such as: 


  • Regular reporting to the Probation Officer

  • Time restriction

  • Community service

  • Rehabilitation programmes tailored to probationer’s risks and needs.


Breach of Probation Conditions

  • If the probationer does not follow the conditions of his Probation Order, he/she may be given warnings by the Probation Officer or taken to Court.

  • The Court could either give a warning, amend the Probation Order or revoke the Probation Order and sentence the probationer for the offence for which he/she was placed on probation.

  • The Court can impose additional orders such as a Detention Order or a Weekend Detention Order for offenders charged in the Youth Court.


View annual reports of the Probation and Community Rehabilitation Service here


For More Info

Flow chart showing the probation process. The probation period can last between six months to three years.

probation process flow chart


Victim Impact

To raise in probationers awareness of the impact of crime on victims, encourage empathy including towards victims and thinking through consequences of their actions.


Law and Order

To educate probationers on common offences in Singapore and highlight the necessity of the law to protect the society.


Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

To equip probationers with skills to manage risky situations and avoid committing further offences.


Conflict Resolution

To help probationers understand how conflicts arise and introduce pro-social methods of resolving differences.


Parenting Programmes

To improve communication between parent and probationers for effective parenting and family support.


Probation Elective Programmes are considered essential or beneficial for certain probationers. Based on the nature of the offence, coping skills and needs, they will be selected to undergo the selected programme(s) at appropriate stages of their probation.


Offence-Specific Programmes

  • Theft Intervention Programme (TIP): A comprehensive specialised group-based intervention for youth offenders who have committed repeated theft offences. TIP focuses on helping offenders develop skills to take responsbility for their offending behaviours, examine impact on victims, identify personal offence cycles and craft a detailed self-management plan to stop their stealing behaviours. 

  • Anti-Secret Society Talk: A seminar conducted by the Singapore Police Force Secret Societies Branch for offenders with previous or current gang association. Parents are required to accompany the offenders. The objectives are to help offenders decline any gang involvement; and for parents to be vigilant to guide their children away from gang association.

  • Anti-Drug Workshop: A workshop co-conducted by staff from PCRS and Central Narcotics Bureau for offenders with a history of experimentation with drugs. Through discussions and role plays, the workshop highlights the dangers of abusing drugs and shares ways for offenders to stay away from drugs.


Other Elective Programmes 

  • Life Skills Programme: The programme includes modules on the following topics: Emotions Management & Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving & Decision Making and Communication Skills. These sessions aim at developing self and social awareness, building healthy relationships and inculcate responsible decision-making.

  • Functional Family Therapy- Juvenile Justice (FFT-JJ): An evidence-based intervention programme designed to address complex family issues within the youth offender population. This strengths-based approach helps youth and their families reframe years of hurt and discord into their stories of hope and strength. The greater involvement of parents in the youth’s lives can then translate into more sustainable outcomes and prevent the youths from committing further offences.

  • Mandatory Counselling: A mandated condition by the Youth Court requiring selected parents/probationers to undergo compulsory counselling sessions from agencies such as social service organisations. Parents are counselled on effective management of marital and parent-child relationship issues to provide an appropriate home environment for their child’s rehabilitation.

  • Prison Visit: An experiential programme that provides probationers a first-hand experience of prison life. It aims to help them cherish the opportunity for community-based rehabilitation and deter them from committing further offences.

  • Smoking Cessation Clinic: A programme held at schools or polyclinics for probationers who have committed smoking offences or with smoking habits to educate them on the dangers of smoking and strategies to quit smoking.