Our Stories

My mother is one of the main reasons why I changed. Ever so supportive, she told me to be good and do good.

Safari Bin Ahmad, ISCOS Titan

I first learned about ISCOS during an outreach talk they conducted when I was in prison. After my release in 2016, I was invited to the ISCOS men’s support group and had been joining the sessions since then.

Since young, I like having friends around. At present, I would consciously cut off and avoid friends who bring negative influences. I like the ISCOS support group because I consider this as the right group of friends, like the tagline “You’ve got a friend”. The support group provides a good opportunity for me to share my stories and views, after which l felt a sense of relief and peace.

I am determined to not relapse into my old habit because I wish to keep my promise and be there for her in her elderly years. And now, I also have my wife to talk and share with. At times of struggles and breakdowns, both my mum and wife are indeed my pillars of support. I appreciate ISCOS and other aftercare agencies or communities that provide support for ex-offenders. Whether it is monetary or social support, I feel that both are equally important in enabling us reintegrate into society successfully.

Having gone through the struggles myself, it is now my turn to motivate and support my husband, daughter, and brother in their battles against drug addiction.

Shidah, ISCOS Titan

I have been battling drug addiction for over 30 years. During my most recent imprisonment, I decided to reflect deeply on my past actions. It then dawned on me that one thing could keep me away from drugs – to have a regular job that will keep me anchored.

With the help from ISCOS, I was fortunate to have found a job as a part-time baker two weeks after my last release. Fast forward to today, I have been working at my current company for almost 6 years and have risen to the rank of Production Manager.

Besides Employment Assistance, I have also received training subsidies from ISCOS for Class 3 licence. Having the license is important to me in broadening my career choices, especially since I am approaching mid-50s and have limited opportunities and skill sets.

I am thankful to ISCOS for providing support to me all these years, including helping my husband with his current job search. In the future, I hope to share my story with other addicts to show them that it is possible to live a good life without drugs!

Having gone through the struggles myself, it is now my turn to motivate and support my husband, daughter, and brother in their battles against drug addiction.

Shidah, ISCOS Titan

To me, the ISCOS support group is one of the programmes I treasured most because I get to meet people from different backgrounds, regardless of race or religion and make new friends who have all taught me valuable lessons that I find useful for my own recovery journey.

Mark, ISCOS Titan

Through a friend of mine (he is an ISCOS Titan), I heard about ISCOS in 2017 and started attending the support group for the past 5 years until now. To me, the ISCOS support group is one of the programmes I treasured much because I get to meet people from different backgrounds, regardless of race or religion, and make new friends who have all taught me valuable lessons that I find useful for my own recovery journey. More importantly, the sessions are a safe space for us to form a connection and talk about our struggles without worrying about being judged.

Leading a simple life, I spend most of my free time either working or working out at the gym to keep myself fit and healthy. When I am not exercising, I volunteer my time in helping other people who are in the same predicament that I was in, including some I have met at the ISCOS support group. Despite not being the most skilled and tech savvy, I hope to be able to pay forward the kindness and support shown to me at ISCOS. The importance of having someone to empathise and understand is so great so for that, I say thank you ISCOS!

As a gang renouncee myself, I know it is never easy to let go of the culture. It will take months and years to adjust the thinking and behaviour, almost like ‘un-learning’ something.

Muru, ISCOS Titan

Muru was roped in to be the main desistor to engage the inmates regularly. Having clocked over 200 hours across 56 sessions conducted throughout the year, Muru went into Cluster B3 every week to speak with them, sharing his own story and experiences while taking time to hear them out. Each session lasted about two to three hours.

For this Project, I see myself as a guide who brings in the reality – do not fantasise that people will automatically accept you because you have to earn the respect with a stable job, life and the value you put on yourself.

He even made time to fetch some project participants at prison gate on their first day of release, much to their delight and gratitude. Knowing that this is the time where friendships count, he continued to stay in touch and invited them to join the ISCOS programmes and support group, which many did.

Recounting his experience in the past year, Muru remembered Firos, a 33 year-old who has been making stable progress since his release in July 2022.

“I was very skeptical (of Project Resolute) at first, but gradually I found that Muru’s words and advice made sense. Today, I have a stable job, a supportive wife and moreover, I was the first from the group to be released so there is surely some positive peer pressure to make sure I do not fall back. Thank you, Project Resolute and Muru!”

As a gang renouncee myself, I know it is never easy to let go of the culture. It will take months and years to adjust the thinking and behaviour, almost like ‘un-learning’ something.

Muru, ISCOS Titan

Recounting his experience in the past year, Muru remembered Firos, a 33 year-old who has been making stable progress since his release in July 2022.