Matthew, a 41-year-old former schoolteacher, prefers sleeping on the concrete floor of his small cell in Changi Prison, Singapore’s maximum-security facility. Despite being provided with a straw mat, he says the concrete offers relief from the relentless heat.

Matthew is serving a seven-year sentence for selling methamphetamine, alongside receiving seven strokes of the cane.

In an exclusive tour of Changi Prison, Singaporean authorities gave CNN a rare look into the city-state’s rigorous anti-drug policies.

While many countries worldwide are relaxing their drug laws, especially regarding marijuana, Singapore stands firm with some of the strictest drug laws, including a mandatory death penalty for individuals convicted of trafficking certain quantities of drugs.

This includes offenses involving 15 grams of heroin, 30 grams of cocaine, 250 grams of meth, or 500 grams of cannabis. Just this past week, a 64-year-old man was hanged for drug offenses, marking the fourth execution of the year.

Singapore’s hardline approach places it among a small group of countries, including Iran, North Korea, and Saudi Arabia, that enforce capital punishment for drug crimes.

Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Law, K Shanmugam, describes the country’s anti-drug stance as an "existential battle," arguing that relaxing these laws could lead to widespread violence and crime.

Strict Laws, Harsh Consequences

Visitors to Singapore receive a stern warning before they even set foot in the country: "Drug trafficking may be punishable by death," announces a voice on inbound flights.

Singaporeans themselves are also subject to strict rules, even consuming drugs overseas can result in testing upon their return.

Singapore’s geographical location makes it a prime target for drug trafficking. The country lies near the Golden Triangle, an area known for large-scale drug production, leading authorities to maintain their severe penalties to deter traffickers.

Shanmugam stresses that Singapore’s high street value for drugs attracts traffickers, and harsh penalties, including the death penalty, act as a deterrent.

Changi Prison, located close to Singapore’s main airport, houses over 10,000 inmates, many of whom are serving sentences for drug-related crimes.

CNN was granted access to one of the maximum-security wings where about 160 prisoners, including those convicted of drug trafficking and violent crimes, are held in single cells.

The environment is intentionally harsh, with limited comforts, and the tropical heat can sometimes make conditions unbearable.

When asked whether the threat of the death penalty impacted his decision to traffic drugs, Matthew admits, "I wasn’t thinking about it at the time. I was actively avoiding the whole issue of consequences."

Prison Life and Rehabilitation

While the prison system in Singapore is designed to be tough, there are efforts to rehabilitate inmates. The Singapore Prison Service promotes emotional wellness and offers job training and anger management courses.

Inmates can work packing goods like anti-dandruff shampoo for a small wage, and motivational quotes from figures like Steve Jobs and Nelson Mandela are displayed throughout the prison's common areas.

However, despite these efforts, recidivism remains a challenge. Around one in five former Singapore prisoners end up in jail within two years. That number, while lower than some other countries, highlights the ongoing struggle in reforming individuals within a system designed to be punitive.

For death row inmates, there is no rehabilitation. In 2022, Singapore executed 11 prisoners for drug-related crimes, and five more were hanged in 2023.

Despite growing local and international opposition to the death penalty, including advocacy groups pushing for reform, the government remains steadfast in its approach.

Personal Stories and Public Debate

The death penalty in Singapore has sparked emotional appeals from family members of those on death row. Halinda binte Ismail, whose son is awaiting execution for drug trafficking, has become a vocal critic of the government’s policies.

She, along with a small but determined group of activists, calls for a reconsideration of the death penalty, arguing it disproportionately affects the most vulnerable members of society.

Despite these criticisms, surveys show strong public support for Singapore’s tough stance on drugs. Government officials, including Shanmugam, often point to the chaos seen in Western countries struggling with drug-related violence as evidence of the necessity of strict laws.

While other nations, such as Hong Kong, have taken a similarly tough approach without imposing the death penalty, Singapore continues to enforce capital punishment, emphasizing its role in deterring crime.

Shanmugam acknowledges that the fight against drugs is far from over, describing it as "a continuous work in progress."