The Yellow Ribbon Community Project (YRCP) is a grassroots-led initiative where trained volunteers visit families of offenders to offer them social support and assistance to help minimise their burden. 

Assistance Offered to Families include the following:

• Financial assistance (e.g. Social Service Organisations and ComCare)
• Casework through Family Service Centres
• Vouchers for food and essential items.

The project was introduced in 2010 by Singapore Prison Service. SANA has been managing it since 2015.

The YRCP has expanded from eight participating divisions to a total of 93 today. As of end February 2023, more than 1,100 grassroots volunteers have been trained to reach out to more than 19,000 families of offenders island-wide.  

Process
Newly admitted inmates are briefed on the YRCP programme. Upon their consent, grassroots volunteers will visit and engage their families on their needs and concerns and where needed, help families link up to community resources such as Residents’ Committees, Family Service Centres and Community Development Councils.

Support
Grassroots volunteers provide pro-social support through regular home visits and look into the families’ general welfare and living environment. They also encourage the families to visit their family member in prison, to help preserve family bonds and offer support to the vulnerable children.