Newly launched Self-Help and Rehabilitation E-application (SHARE) mobile application comes with host of features that help supervisees find their feet after release from prison
The HTX SHARE team. From left to right: Renz Ridon, Lead Engineer, Corrections and Narcotics Programme Management Centre; Kenneth Tian, Project Manager, Digital Services Programme Management Centre (DSPMC); Alan Sim, Head, DSPMC; Jeanie Tay, Business Analyst, DSPMC; Houston Yap, Business Analyst, DSPMC (Photo: HTX)
Supervisees (offenders serving the tail-end of their sentences in the community) now have a new tool that can help them tackle the challenges they face after their release from prison thanks to a collaboration between HTX, the Singapore Prison Service (SPS), and Activate Interactive Pte Ltd (Activate Interactive).
Called the Self-Help and Rehabilitation E-application (SHARE), this tool is designed to encourage ex-offenders to take greater ownership of their rehabilitation journey by giving them access to electronic rehabilitation resources, a centralised job database and rehabilitation process tracking, among other features.
SHARE has streamlined manual processes associated with supervisee communication and facilitates information sharing through the platform. The app’s integration with external resource systems also relieves SPS staff from manual resource management tasks so that they can better focus on core tasks like supervision and counselling.
SHARE, which also facilitates timely request reminders, submissions, promoting organisational efficiency and reducing reliance on physical documentation delivery, was recently awarded the Singapore Digital Initiative of the Year (Correctional Services) Award at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024.
With SHARE, supervisees can easily access rehabilitation materials, community resources, and employment opportunities, regardless of their locations or schedules. SPS staff can also use SHARE to track supervisees’ progress.
Supervisees can use SHARE to set and track their goals and check-ins with their supervisors, search for jobs, and submit requests such as travel requests. They can also submit documents to fulfil their supervision requirements. Names shown are not of actual persons. (Photos: HTX)
For this project, HTX’s Digital Services Programme Management Centre (DSPMC) worked closely with SPS and Activate Interactive to create an app that digitises manual processes while empowering supervisees to take charge of their own rehabilitation journey.
For Jeanie Tay, a business analyst with DSPMC, the experience of working on SHARE was a memorable one. Besides getting to learn about the challenges supervisees face, including the temptation to fall back on old habits and the difficulties in obtaining job opportunities, she was also inspired by the dedication of SPS Officers.
“It was heartwarming to witness the passion of the SPS Officers, who have put in additional effort to ensure their supervisees are taken care of and have the necessary resources to reintegrate into society. Witnessing their tenacity has inspired me to do my best to ensure SHARE is an app that can be useful in the reintegration process,” said Jeanie.
According to Jeanie, the goal-setting functions in the app have already received positive feedback from supervisees, with many saying that it helps them to stay motivated and work towards their goals.
Here are some of the functions available on the app:
Goal setting and tracking. With SHARE, supervisees can set clear and achievable goals in their journey towards reintegration back into society. Such goals may include employment, relationship-building with friends and family, and education. SPS Officers can also use SHARE to celebrate their achievements and major milestones during their rehabilitation journey.
Gamification: SHARE allows ex-offenders to collect badges to mark milestones in their rehabilitation journeys. The sense of accomplishment from achieving each milestone serves as a source of motivation to reach the next one. (Photo: HTX)
Learning. Supervisees can use SHARE to acquire new skills and knowledge to improve their employability as well as their personal growth. To kick-start their learning journeys, they can select courses based on their interests or on recommendations from their officers. There are currently about 50 self-learning courses for supervisees on SHARE.
Jobs. Supervisees can use SHARE to search for jobs opportunities across different industries and markets.
Check-ins. Using SHARE, supervisees can do regular check-ins with their officers and receive encouragement and guidance.
SPS Officers can use SHARE to track their supervisees’ progress, including goals and check-ins. Names shown are not of actual persons. (Photos: HTX)