These places were dirty, brutal, and spread disease. When corporal punishment began to be questioned when ineffective reforms began. There is more crime now than then, because back then people who broke the law were physically punished and then sent away. In 1998, Singapore faced problems similar to those America faces today: growing numbers of prisoners, overcrowding in institutions, high recidivism, and difficulties recruiting and retaining correctional officers. Singapore introduced a program in which guards were responsible for the human needs of all prisoners, their physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, educational and future success. They took care of their drug addiction, mental health and character; they also focused on reintegrating prisoners into the community as quickly as possible through release from work; and helped them secure stable jobs. Recidivism dropped from 44% to a low of 23%, respect for guards skyrocketed, assaults plummeted, guards reported better working conditions, and the problem of recruiting future correctional officers was solved. A different approach to prison reform can be implemented from within, through donations