SINGAPORE - Ethan was still serving his year-long jail sentence for drug consumption when his stepfather spoke his last words to him. The man who had cancer, sternly warned the 32-year-old not to land himself behind bars again after this first offence. The conversation took place at home, as Ethan (not his real name) was allowed to serve part of his sentence at his place of residence. "Before he passed on, he told me, 'How many more times do you want to go into prison? Make sure this is the last time. I don't want to see you go to prison again,'" said Ethan. "These words were very impactful. It made me very determined not to go back to my old ways again, and to really start a new journey in life," he said, recalling the conversation that took place during his Singapore Prison Service (SPS) community-based programme. His stepfather died three weeks after he started the programme, in August last year. As at Wednesday (Feb 3), Ethan is a free man. He is currently enrolled in a law diploma programme, which he hopes to use for community work and pro bono services. His correctional rehabilitation specialist is Chief Warder 2 Sadhana Rai, who encouraged him during his seven-month communit...