Awful Grace is a Singapore-registered charity marking a decade of dedicated restorative care for individuals and families affected by incarceration. Born from the belief that no life is defined by its darkest chapter, we partner with the organisations that journey with the prison community, ensuring that no one—whether serving time, rebuilding life after release, or waiting faithfully at home—has to walk this difficult path alone.
A DECADE OF RECOGNISED HEART WORK
This year, that shared effort was recognised with the Ministry of Home Affairs 2026 National Day Excellence Award, honouring our ongoing work alongside the Singapore Prison Service. We were also deeply privileged to receive accolades at the recent SPS Volunteer Awards Ceremony 2026, where Minister of State Mr. Goh Pei Ming highlighted the vital “heart work” of community partners in changing lives. Grounded in grace, our commitment remains simple and unwavering: that a person’s past should never dictate their future.
Our flagship programme,The Journey, begins long before a prison gate ever opens. Through initiatives which strengthens the bonds between incarcerated individuals and their loved ones, incarcerated parents staying present and engaged in their children’s lives, we work to keep relationships intact even when circumstances have pulled them apart.
When release day arrives, that support naturally evolves through The Journey Continues. This throughcare framework carries person-centered support directly into the community, walking beside young returning citizens, aging formerly incarcerated persons, and families who have spent decades holding down the fort alongside a loved one serving a life sentence.
Our work is guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi — the quiet wisdom that finds profound beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the honest marks of a life lived. Ultimately, our measure of success lives in the depth of human transformation. We see it in a quiet voice rediscovered through a haiku written behind bars, in the steady steps of a reclaimed future, and in the healing of a family that stayed the course together. This is the heart of Awful Grace—the profound beauty that emerges when we have the courage to see brokenness not as an end, but as a place where a meaningful life begins, ensuring everyone in our community has the opportunity to thrive.
Join us in rewriting these stories of hope by partnering with Awful Grace today to help build a community where every second chance is met with grace.
We are honoured that the person-centred nature of our work, and the incredible resilience of the people we journey with, has been highlighted on Channel News Asia’s Extraordinary People. What undergirds our programme, “The Journey,” is the foundation in restorative practices which celebrates the belief that transformation begins with recognising the individual’s inherent worth and empowering them to find their own journey. The stories shared remind us that our true impact lies in fostering the innate power of individual resilience to overcome adversity.
Restorative Practices for Rehabilitation and Reintegration
True rehabilitation starts with restorative practices that prioritise healing over punishment and relationships over isolation. A justice system focused only on retribution overlooks the potential for transformation in every individual. Restorative practices recognise that harm impacts not just the victim but also offenders, their families, and the community. Effective rehabilitation is a collective effort, where repair, accountability, and growth replace stigma and retribution.
Rehabilitation is about restoring dignity. When individuals are given the chance to take responsibility meaningfully, they can heal, make amends, and rebuild their lives. Reintegration should be an active process, not just release—helping returning citizens re-enter society with the support and relationships they need to thrive.
At Awful Grace, we champion restorative practices through our institution programme “The Journey,” which promotes personal growth and reconciliation. In our community programme – “The Journey Continues” (TJC), we extend support beyond residential facilities, helping returning citizens find belonging in a community that embraces second chances.
A society that values restorative rehabilitation understands that no one is defined by their worst mistake. It reflects our shared humanity—offering justice that is rooted in compassion, accountability, and hope. Awful Grace is committed to this vision, advocating for a justice system that serves both the present and future of individuals, families, and communities.
Vision
A compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to heal, reintegrate and transform with dignity.
Mission
Awful Grace empowers incarcerated individuals, at-risk youths, and returning citizens to rebuild their lives through restorative justice, creative expression, and community support, fostering healing, accountability and reintegration.
