Singapore Prison Service Launches Massive 81-Cubicle Video Court Facility at Changi to Digitalize Justice

Singapore Prison Service opens a new 81-cubicle video court at Changi Prison. Learn how remote sentencing and digital queues are modernizing the justice system.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 10:56 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

Expanding the Scope of Virtual Judicial Proceedings

The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has officially transitioned into a new era of digital justice with the inauguration of a dedicated video court facility within the Changi Prison Complex. This facility, which has been operational since March, significantly broadens the types of legal actions that can be conducted remotely. In a major shift for the local legal system, accused persons on remand can now participate in pleas of guilt and sentencing hearings via internet-based video conferencing, a process previously restricted to administrative matters such as bail applications and remand extensions.

Evolution from Crisis Management to Institutional Core

While the expansion of remote court capabilities began in 2019, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic accelerated the need for robust virtual infrastructure. Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai highlighted during the opening ceremony that the project scope was further enlarged in 2022 to "future-proof" the legal sector. Between 2020 and 2025, the SPS facilitated approximately 104,000 remote hearings, accounting for over 90 percent of its total court-related activities during that period, proving that virtual sessions are no longer just an emergency measure.

Acoustic Privacy and Advanced Monitoring Infrastructure

The new facility comprises 81 specialized cubicles designed specifically for the rigors of legal testimony and consultation. Unlike previous retrofitted spaces, these newer units feature high-grade acoustical barriers and soundproofing to ensure that inmates maintain necessary privacy while speaking with judges and legal counsel. For security and administrative oversight, each cubicle is integrated with a CCTV system, allowing SPS officers to maintain constant visual contact from a centralized control room without intruding on the audio privacy of the hearing.