In my sheltered, simple, Singaporean life while growing up, drugs had never been something that I even would remotely encounter. As a teenager, perhaps thanks to my mother's strict curfew, I was never allowed in contexts or situations where I might possibly be exposed to them. To me, drugs represented an unreal world, calling to mind scenes from some Hong Kong drama in the 90s.

Pre-sentencing involves the period after someone has been convicted of a crime but before the judge imposes a sentence.

At PFS, we journey with individuals through this time of waiting and help them and their families come to terms with the reality of incarceration.

Johnson Manuel is a theatre manager and a trained audio engineer who volunteers at Prison Fellowship Singapore (PFS). He has been journeying with inmates for more than 20 years, witnessing drastic changes in many of their lives. We had the privilege to interview him, gaining insight into the joys and struggles of a prison volunteer.

Article Written by Teo Hsin Yeong
Interview Conducted by Yeo Li Juan