The Court of Appeal found that the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) and Singapore Prison Service (SPS) were in breach of confidence and acted unlawfully over the exchange of a number of letters belonging to 13 death-row inmates.
The court, comprising Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, Senior Judge Judith Prakash and Justice Steven Chong, affirmed on Oct 11 the importance of a prisoner's ownership over his correspondence and his right, within the bounds of the law, to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of his communications.
In a written judgment, the court noted that the AGC and the SPS, which is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), have since taken steps to remedy the situation.
The letters were written by 13 prisoners on death row who were seeking damages for unlawful practice, breach of confidence and copyright infringement.
They had filed a civil case against the AGC in July 2021.
The prisoners were mostly drug offenders, but also included former policeman Iskandar Rahmat, who was convicted of the 2013 Kovan double murders of a businessman and his son.
The inmates had sent correspondence to various parties, including the Singapore Police Force and their lawyers.
This story is from the October 12, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 12, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ride on China growth story but tread cautiously, say experts
S'pore investors can go for diversified portfolio of stocks or China-related plays
S'pore-based Shein reportedly adds more banks to arrange London listing
Shein has added more banks to help arrange its potential initial public offering (IPO) that could value the online fashion retailer at £50 billion (S$85 billion), potentially one of the biggest listings in London in recent years, people familiar with the matter said.
Job seeker support scheme will be reviewed quarterly
Manpower Minister not ruling out further expanding the initiative after it is rolled out in April 2025
C&C, Gogoro launch electric scooters and charging stations
Cycle & Carriage Singapore (C&C) and Gogoro officially launched battery-swop electric scooters and charging stations in Singapore on Oct 16.
Boeing to raise up to $33b as strike weighs on finances
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing unveiled measures meant to replenish its cash flow on Oct 15, including an intention to raise up to US$25 billion (S$33 billion), as it navigates recurrent production problems and a major US strike.
NZ inflation slows to lowest rate since early 2021
New Zealand's annual inflation rate fell sharply in the third quarter, returning to the central bank's target band for the first time in more than three years.
Why are tech companies in S'pore laying off people?
Restructuring, rising employment cost and slow growth forecast among factors
Workers at Samsung's Tamil Nadu factory end strike
Workers of Samsung Electronics' Indian unit have decided to end a strike at its factory in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the company said on Oct 15, ending a labour protest that had continued for more than a month.
Widower shared account info with 'women' online, but they were scammers
Shortly after his wife died, a man shared details of his bank accounts with people he met online who claimed to be women, only to find out that some of the accounts were later used to handle scam proceeds.
All SIT graduates to get transcript of transferable skills
Move to go beyond academic grades will document students' mastery of 18 skills
