SINGAPORE: Life offers a second chance as the experience of two men has shown.
Both of them graduated from the National University of Singapore after spending time in prison.
It was a proud moment for the parents of 35-year-old Darren Tan Tho Eng, who will join a law firm as a practice trainee. He received his law degree on Thursday morning.
But he found it tough in his first semester in university.
Darren said: "When I first started school in NUS, it was more of a culture shock. I had a hard time getting used to school life because I spent the last 10 to 12 years of my life in another setting, in prison, and finances were bad. I also had to get used to using technology in the course of school. Also managing my relationship with my peers in school."
Apart from more than a decade in jail, he was also caned for drug and gang-related offences.
Prof Simon Chesterman, Dean of Faculty of Law at NUS, said: "We look at everyone on the basis of their results and their other achievements. And he had good enough results to be interviewed. This was some time ago, but we made, in the end, special provision to interview him. I think one of my colleagues went down to prison to interview him.
"But from our perspective, he had been convicted of an offence, but he was in the process of concluding, serving his time, he paid his debt to society. We don't believe that that should be a barrier to someone to turning over a new leaf, and having an opportunity to pursue an education, which he has clearly demonstrated he's passionate about."
As for 34-year-old So Weng Kei, he completed his studies in prison and graduated with an economics degree.
Weng Kei, who was jailed twice for burglary charges, has since found a job as a marketing executive.
"After lights out, we have this, we call the maintenance zone light. It's not really bright, but it's bright enough for me to read my textbook, so even after lights out, I will still be reading my textbook," he said.
Both men shared their experiences on what kept them going.
"Hope. I know that although a lot of people might not give us a second chance or for my case, a third chance, in life. But I feel that there is still someone out there who will be willing to give us this chance," said Weng Kei.
"I will use my knowledge, to the best of my ability, to ensure that people have access to the law, regardless of how much resources they have, to use my knowledge for the good of others," said Darren.
And their efforts have paid off. They were among some 10,282 graduates from the National University of Singapore this year. Of these, 393 are graduates from the Faculty of Law.
www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/two-former-inmates-get/741630.html
