The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) has publicly denied circulating online claims that Singapore recently launched the world’s first floating prison.
The statement came after multiple viral social media posts falsely suggested that a high-tech incarceration facility had been constructed offshore to address land scarcity and overcrowding.
One Instagram post dated 13 July 2025 referred to the purported floating structure as “the future of urban incarceration” and has garnered over 10,000 likes.
Another widely shared post, dated 15 July 2025, described the alleged facility as featuring AI surveillance, biometric security, robotic patrols, and “geofenced digital boundaries” in place of traditional bars. It claimed the structure could accommodate over 2,000 inmates.
A photo accompanying the post appeared to show an aerial view of the supposed facility situated 500 metres off Singapore’s coast.
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Online users have responded with mixed reactions. Some questioned the authenticity of the posts, with one comment by online influencer Dhillon Lee reading, “Does Singapore know about this?”
In a formal statement issued on 17 July 2025, SPS clarified: “This is untrue. Neither have we had any discussions or plans for such, nor is there a need.”
The agency added, “We urge members of the public not to spread misinformation, nor to be taken in by such wild stories, and refer instead to SPS’ website and social media platforms for official information.”
Further factcheck by social media users revealed that the images used in the misleading posts likely originated from the Bibby Stockholm — an engineless barge previously used by the United Kingdom government.
The Bibby Stockholm, flagged in Barbados, arrived in Portland, Dorset in July 2023. It began housing male asylum seekers the following month while their applications were being processed.
The UK initiative has been the subject of significant public scrutiny, with critics citing concerns over the suitability of barge accommodation for vulnerable individuals and its social impact on the Portland community.
SPS reiterated its commitment to transparency and accurate public communication, urging people to rely on its verified online platforms for updates and information related to the Republic’s correctional system.
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