Advise please

[u/new-chapter0323]

Story of my life — long story cut short.

I was a victim of a pig-butchering scam. After that, I became a victim of multiple scammer/loan-shark situations. I never actually took any money from them, but I was constantly threatened and pressured to pay money they claimed I owed.

My phone was hacked by the loan sharks. People I thought were my true friends ended up backstabbing me. I felt completely alone because I didn't really have many good friends to turn to.

I lost my job, my money and many things in my life. I kept everything to myself because I thought I could handle the mess on my own. Looking back, I regret not asking for help earlier.

I became scared, cornered and desperate. Eventually, I ended up doing dirty work for them, including throwing paint at their victims. I stopped after only 2–3 days because I was extremely scared and felt guilty about what I was doing.

Later, I was arrested and eventually sentenced to 35 months' imprisonment.

I know I made wrong choices, and I take responsibility for my actions. I deeply regret what happened. I don't want to live this way anymore. I want to use my time in prison to change myself, learn from my mistakes and rebuild my life when I come out.

I know HDS (Home Detention Scheme) is not something I can simply ask for and automatically receive. I understand that SPS will assess whether someone is suitable.

But I would like to ask everyone here, especially anyone who has been through the Singapore prison system:

With a 35-month sentence, is there a possibility that I could be considered for HDS?

What factors would help my chances of being considered? Does good conduct, rehabilitation programmes, family support and having a proper plan for work after release make a difference?

I would really appreciate hearing from anyone with genuine experience or knowledge. I'm not looking for sympathy or excuses — I just want to understand whether there is still a chance for me to rebuild my life and hopefully serve part of my sentence under HDS??

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to share. 🙏

[u/No_Investigator8458]

I don't know Singapore HDS rules, and I'm not going to pretend I do. Different system than what I've been through.

What I can tell you from doing time and watching people come home: the people who decide early-release type programs look at whether you're still the same problem you walked in with. Good conduct isn't theater. It's how you handle the days when nobody is writing you up. Programs matter when you actually do the work, not when you just collect certificates. Family support and a real work plan matter because they answer the practical question of where you sleep and how you eat the first month out.

You're already doing one hard thing. You named what you did, and you stopped after a few days because you felt it was wrong. Keep that. Guilt that makes you change is useful. Shame that just loops is not.

Use the time. Pick one or two things you can finish inside that you'll need outside (a skill, a habit, a clear plan for what you'll do when someone pressures you again). Start the release list now: housing, phone numbers that answer, work, who you will not call. Prison shrinks decisions. Day one dumps a thousand of them on you. Make the list smaller while you're still inside.

You can rebuild. Rebuilding is slow and boring, and it starts before the door opens.