Around 4,000 children in S'pore had at least 1 incarcerated parent as of end-2025: MSF

Around 4,000 children below the age of 21 in Singapore had at least one incarcerated parent as of Dec. 31, 2025.

Of these, 70 per cent were from families receiving support from Social Service Offices (SSOs) or Family Service Centres (FSCs), or both, while their parent was incarcerated.

Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli disclosed the figures in a written parliamentary reply on Nov. 3.

He was responding to a question from MP Victor Lye about how children with incarcerated parents are identified, assessed and referred for social, educational or family support.

Masagos added that support was extended to the children based on their assessed needs.

New process introduced to identify affected families

To provide more proactive support, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) introduced an interagency process in February 2026.

Under the arrangement, SPS notifies SSO Family Coaches and FSC caseworkers when a member of a client's family is incarcerated.

This allows social service professionals to proactively reach out to affected families, assess their needs and provide timely assistance.

From March to August 2026, the process identified nearly 300 families with about 400 children.

Following a referral from SPS, SSOs and FSCs will reassess the needs of those affected and arrange for support where necessary.

Support continues after parent's release

According to Masagos, 16 per cent of these children had at least one parent released from prison between January and August 2026.

Nearly all of these children continued receiving support after their parents were released from prison.

MSF and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will continue working with other agencies through the National Committee on Preventing Offending and Reoffending (NCPR) to strengthen support for families and children affected by incarceration.

The ministries also aim to ensure that affected families do not feel singled out or labelled because of their family circumstances.