WHAT are the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry (COI)?

The COI submitted a list of 10 recommendations. DPM Wong said in Parliament that he agreed and accepted all the recommendations.

A key recommendation is that a new Detention Centre be built and located in Changi Prison. Mr Wong said: "I have asked my staff to work out a detailed implementation plan and schedule for this recommendation which requires careful planning and execution.

The full recommendations of the COI are:

1 The Internal Security Department (ISD) to assume overall command and control of the Whitley Road Detention Centre (WRDC), including security.

2 ISD to establish a formal framework of communications among the three functional groups (WRDC Administration, GC guards and Operations Group) in WRDC that supplements direct communications between officers from different functional groups on the ground.

Where instructions are given or changes occur that have an impact on another functional group, they should be communicated to the latter's higher management formally, so that appropriate Orders or Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) can be updated and training programmes reviewed accordingly.

3 As WRDC is an ISD facility, ISD headquarters (ISD HQ) must clarify the responsibilities of officers in all three functional groups in relation to one another. The Superintendent must ultimately take command and control over WRDC's day-to-day operations, and have oversight of the procedures and practices of all ISD officers and GC guards deployed at WRDC.

4 ISD HQ, WRDC Administration and GC HQ to establish a more structured feedback mechanism.

5 WRDC Administration and GC HQ to develop a comprehensive training programme for WRDC staff and GC guards deployed at WRDC.

6 WRDC Administration to develop a more structured framework to communicate risks posed by certain detainees to GC guards.

7 WRDC Administration to consider instituting a system of regular audits to ensure that instructions are carried out and procedures are adhered to.

8 ISD HQ to institute a system of checks and balances through: regular review of WRDC security by Protective Security (PS) Command; process by which WRDC Administration must seek proper security assessment from PS Command in writing before any change in escort procedures or use of facilities by detainees is approved; the Superintendent must obtain approval from Director, ISD before he overrules any recommendation by PS Command.

9 WRDC Administration and GC HQ to jointly develop a robust response plan for major incidents.
Joint ground exercises should also be conducted regularly to validate and improve these plans.

10 ISD HQ to consider having WRDC purpose-built from design on a new site and to revisit its previous plans to co-locate within the Changi Prison Complex.

Was Mas Selamat's escape an inside job? Did he get help from anyone in the WRDC?

The answer is no, according to the assessment of the COI and a separate investigation and intelligence by the ISD.

The Criminal Investigation Department, in a statement released yesterday, said that after its own probe into Mas Selamat's escape, it has found no indication of criminal negligence, intentional omission and collusion by any member of the staff at the WRDC.

It has also decided not to take action against anyone, after consulting the Attorney-General's Chambers.

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