New Wrist Tags Aim to Reduce Stigma for Supervised Individuals in Singapore

Jean Chiang, the director of SPS’ logistics and finance division, explained that reducing the stigma associated with supervision is crucial for supervisees. This reduction in stigma will help them build confidence as they seek employment and re-enter social settings. She emphasized the importance of acceptance within the community, including places of worship, so that individuals are not perceived differently.

The initiative to replace ankle tags with wrist tags stems from a desire to normalize the tagging process. Many individuals previously wore long pants to conceal their ankle tags. The wrist tag aims to provide a more discreet and less stigmatizing solution.

Bruce Mathieu, a former offender and now a motivational speaker, believes the new wrist tags will significantly aid in overcoming the stigma associated with being an ex-inmate. He highlighted that the existing ankle tags make individuals highly visible, potentially impacting their self-esteem and confidence during reintegration.

Mathieu further elaborated on the challenges faced by ex-offenders, particularly low self-esteem. He emphasized the difficulty of reintegration and the desire for society to focus on their future contributions rather than their past.

Thomas Tan, a lead engineer at HTX, noted that the new wrist tags are smaller and lighter than the ankle tags. He pointed out that ankle tags are more conspicuous to the public. Despite the differences in size and design, both tag types utilize the same operating system and have similar production costs. The wrist tags, like the ankle tags, can operate for up to 16 hours on a full charge.