Media Release : 24 August 2022

Sentencing of Former Prison Officer for Unlawful Access and Communication of Confidential Information

On 24 August 2022, Muhammad Fattahullah Bin Mohd Nordin, a former prison officer, pleaded guilty to two charges under the Computer Misuse Act for accessing the Singapore Prison Service computer system to obtain confidential information on inmates’ locations, without authority, to pass on to another inmate. He was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment. The court proceedings in respect of another former prison officer, Muhammad Zul Helmy Bin Abdul Latip, who was charged with similar offences, are ongoing.

The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) commenced internal investigations into the matter in November 2020, after several contraband items and a note containing confidential information were found in an inmate’s cell during a routine check. The investigations revealed that these former prison officers had allegedly accessed and provided confidential information to the inmate on separate occasions. SPS immediately referred the case to the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) for their investigation. SPS also interdicted them from service, pending the outcome of the investigation. They both subsequently resigned from service.

All SPS staff undergo training on the proper handling of confidential information. Regular bulletins are also disseminated to SPS staff to emphasise the importance of securing confidential information, and the importance of remaining professional at all times when dealing with inmates. The consequences of breaching these regulations, including the punishments that they may face under the law, are also clearly made known to SPS staff.

SPS takes a very serious view of any wrongful access and communication of confidential information. Any SPS staff found to have done so will be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law, including being charged in court, as was done in this case.

Singapore Prison Service
24 August 2022