Anyone who is "reasonably suspected" to be a drug addict and who fails a urine / hair test, can be placed in a "Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC)". You are placed in a normal prison cell with other drug users. The routine and cell conditions are the same as other prisoners who have been convicted. There is no due process. As long as your urine test is positive, you will be sent there.
While awaiting the results of the urine / hair test, you are placed in Changi Prison. We understand that 2 tests are administered to confirm the existence of drugs in the person's system. While you are waiting for the test results, you are placed in a cell in Changi Prison. It usually take about a week for the test results to be returned. The test is conducted by the Health Sciences Authority.
While awaiting the test results, you are placed in a "medical observation cell". Some prisoners have described it as 'cold turkey.' We have been informed that the lights are switched on all the time. There are usually about 7-8 people in a "medical" cell at any one time. After the 1 week observation is up, you will be placed with the rest of the prison population in Changi.
The Misuse of Drugs Act states that every person must be imprisoned at a DRC for a period of up to 12 months. The length of stay can be 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. How long you are imprisoned for will depend on how the prison determines your progress. Reviews are usually done on a quarterly basis.
We have been informed by some prisoners that after one week in the medical observation cell, the inmate can request to be released and this is done on a case by case basis, and according to this prisoner, it depends on the relationship the inmate has with the officer. After release, the inmate still has to report regularly at the police station.
Throughout your time there, prison officers will conduct courses and workshops for you. These are usually about once a week, or fortnightly.
The maximum period of detention in a DRC is 4 years. After completing the intervention programme, inmates are then allowed back into the community. There are three schemes:
(a) The residential scheme allows offenders to stay at home. However, they have to observe a curfew and wear an electronic monitoring device. They are also required to work or study during the day.
(b) The second scheme allows detainees to work and study during the day before returning to Selarang Park Complex (S2) in the evening.
(c) Offenders under the third scheme undergo a structured programme while residing in a halfway house.