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The Government has decided to
preserve a symbolic part of the Changi Prison which has historical
significance and heritage.
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While it is necessary to tear down
the Changi Prison which is structurally very old, the Government will preserve
a 180m stretch of the prison wall facing Upper Changi Rd North, which includes
two corner turrets. The main gate of the prison will be relocated to this wall
as well.
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The Preservation of Monuments
Board will gazette the preserved structures as a National Monument.
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To give organisations that have an
interest in preserving the heritage of Changi Prison an opportunity to play a
role in the preservation process, selected artefacts from Changi Prison have
been offered to the National Heritage Board, the Singapore Tourism Board, and
the Australian, British and New Zealand High Commissions.
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With the scarcity of land in
Singapore, it is necessary to tear down Changi Prison, which cannot be run as
a modern prison to support our rehabilitation efforts. The new Changi Prison
Complex will optimise resources, provide rehabilitation facilities for our
inmates and provide a more conducive environment to house the inmates.
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The Changi Prison holds special memories
for many civilians and war veterans who were incarcerated there during the
Japanese occupation of Singapore.
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Built in 1936, the Changi Prison is one of
our most poignant historical symbols of World War II (WWII). It housed the
convicts in the Straits Settlements and subsequently, the Allied soldiers and
civilians during WWII.
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Between 1942 and 1945, the Japanese
interned about 76,000 prisoners of war at the prison and the surrounding
areas. The Changi Prison thus serves as a landmark symbolising the suffering
of the soldiers who defended Singapore.
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Given its historical significance and
heritage value, we are carrying out the redevelopment sensitively to maintain
our links with the past.
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The demolition of Changi Prison is
scheduled to begin some time in the middle of this year.
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Source: Ministry of Home
Affairs, MITA & Prisons Dept Press Release 6 Mar 2004
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Parts of Changi Prison to be preserved
