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SINGAPORE \u2013 A new task force will review how the Government can better support people with mental health conditions and special needs within the criminal justice system. <\/p>\n
This includes accused persons and victims of crime, who may have conditions such as psychosis, schizophrenia, autism and intellectual disabilities, among others.<\/p>\n
On Jan 8, the Ministry of Law said the Inclusive Justice Taskforce will examine the entire criminal justice process, from the pre-offending stage and criminal investigations to court processes, sentencing and post-sentencing support measures.<\/p>\n
It will also review existing measures, identify areas for improvement and propose potential reforms for the Government\u2019s consideration.<\/p>\n
Minister for Law Edwin Tong first agreed to the task force <\/p>\n at the inaugural Access to Justice (A2J) Symposium in March 2025,<\/p>\n <\/a> which addressed legal challenges faced by people with invisible disabilities.<\/p>\n Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development and Law Eric Chua and veteran lawyer Peggy Yee, <\/p>\n a vocal advocate for people with such disabilities<\/p>\n <\/a>, are co-chairing the 20-member task force.<\/p>\n Mr Chua said they have assembled a \u201cstrong collaborative team\u201d, adding: \u201cWork will be done to review current practices, identify gaps and develop recommendations to address them.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Yee noted that individuals with mental health conditions and disabilities often cannot advocate for themselves and would benefit from dedicated support in navigating the justice system. <\/p>\n \u201cWe look forward to working with the task force members to co-create practical solutions that support vulnerable individuals with empathy and fairness as they interact with the criminal justice system, whether they are accused persons, victims or witnesses,\u201d said Ms Yee.<\/p>\n The Inclusive Justice Taskforce comprises individuals from a wide range of fields.<\/p>\n They include lawyers, policymakers, law enforcement officers, social service professionals, healthcare experts and caregivers.<\/p>\n Among its members are Deputy Principal District Judge Kessler Soh, Chief Public Defender Wong Kok Weng, and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation and Intelligence) Zhang Weihan, who is also director of the Criminal Investigation Department.<\/p>\n Leaders from the social service sector on the task force include Minds chief executive Kelvin Koh, SPD chief executive Abhimanyau Pal, and Rainbow Centre executive director Tan Sze Wee.<\/p>\n Also on the team are Dr Derrick Yeo, a senior consultant at the Institute of Mental Health\u2019s department of forensic psychiatry, and Dr Chen Shiling, <\/p>\n the founder of Happee Hearts Movement<\/p>\n <\/a>, a non-profit that advocates quality healthcare for adults with intellectual disabilities.<\/p>\n Representing caregivers\u2019 perspectives are Dr Lim Hong Huay \u2013 <\/p>\n a paediatrician who founded non-profit CaringSG<\/p>\n <\/a> to support caregivers of special needs children \u2013 and Mr Teo Weng Kie, managing director of law firm Securus Law.<\/p>\n