A former prison officer in Singapore, Kobi Krishna Ayavoo, was sentenced to three years and two weeks’ imprisonment on February 23, 2024, for attempting to obtain bribes from an inmate and unauthorized access to a prison computer system. Kobi, who was 57 years old at the time of sentencing, was convicted of eight charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act and two charges under the Computer Misuse and Cybersecurity Act.
The inmate, Chong Keng Chye, was serving a 20-year preventive detention sentence for one of the worst child abuse cases in Singapore. Kobi attempted to obtain bribes from Chong on eight separate occasions between September 2015 and March 2016, in exchange for facilitating Chong’s transfer out of an area named Cluster A1 in Changi Prison. Kobi requested amounts ranging from $3,000 to $42,000, but Chong did not hand over any money, The Straits Times reported.
Kobi also instigated two of his colleagues to gain unauthorized access to the Prisons Operations and Rehabilitation System (Ports), which contains confidential information such as inmates’ identification card numbers. Kobi was suspended from work in July 2017 and retired in December 2022, CNA reported.
Chong, who was 48 years old at the time, had been convicted of battering his girlfriend’s seven-year-old son for more than seven months until the child died in 1999. He had also abused the boy’s two sisters. Chong was sentenced to 20 years of preventive detention, with nine strokes of the cane, in 2005.
During the trial, Chong testified that he knew Kobi did not have the capability or the authority to help him transfer out of A1. Chong told the court that the matter needed to go through the prison’s “Intelligence” and that Kobi had told him that one of the intelligence officers was his friend, who could help the inmate. However, between January and March 2016, Chong went through a medical review but was not transferred out even though he was found to be fit.
The judge in the case, District Judge John Ng, found Kobi guilty of all charges after a trial. The prosecution had sought a sentence of three years and six months’ imprisonment, while the defense had argued for a sentence of two years and six months.
Ultimately, the judge imposed a sentence of three years and two weeks’ imprisonment.
The case of Kobi Krishna Ayavoo is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of the criminal justice system and the consequences of engaging in corrupt practices. As a prison officer, Kobi was entrusted with ensuring the safety and security of inmates and maintaining the order and discipline of the prison. Instead, he abused his position of power and authority for personal gain.
Corruption is a serious offense that undermines public trust and confidence in the criminal justice system. It is essential that all prison officers, like Kobi, are held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Any act of corruption, no matter how small, can have significant consequences, not only for the individual involved but also for the wider community.
The fact that Kobi attempted to obtain bribes from an inmate who had committed one of the worst child abuse cases in Singapore is particularly concerning. It is essential that inmates who have committed serious crimes are held accountable for their actions and that they do not receive preferential treatment or special privileges.
Furthermore, Kobi’s unauthorized access to the Prisons Operations and Rehabilitation System (Ports) is a serious breach of confidentiality and security. The fact that Ports contains confidential information such as inmates’ identification card numbers highlights the importance of ensuring that access to such systems is strictly controlled and monitored.
The sentence imposed on Kobi reflects the seriousness of his offenses and serves as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in corrupt practices. It is crucial that individuals who breach the public’s trust and engage in corrupt practices are held accountable for their actions and face the consequences of their actions.
Ultimately, it is up to all of us to ensure that the criminal justice system remains fair, transparent, and accountable. We must remain vigilant and report any instances of corruption or unethical behavior, no matter how small, to ensure that the integrity of the system is maintained and that justice is served.