A study of 46 inmate recidivists revealed that peer group influence and parental neglect were leading factors contributing initial imprisonment, but unemployment and lack of self-control were the main contributors to relapse into criminal conduct. Habitual offenders accounting for 27 percent of the total prison population in Singapore. Over half (58.2 percent) are below 30 years of age, have received only some primary education (67.0 percent), are imprisoned for property offenses (53.3 percent) and are serving terms between 3 and 10 years (51.2 percent). Habitual offenders include the professional criminal, the psychologically dependent or compulsive type, and the psychologically conditioned professional criminal. Classification of habitual offenders is based on suitability reports submitted by the Prisons Department, but social service and medical officers help determine corrective training and preventive detention needs. General training available to all prisoners, including habitual offenders, includes job training, counselling, social services, religious help, education, recreation, and rewards for good behavior. Special corrective training is prescribed for younger persistent offenders who appear to have a high potential for rehabilitation. The inmates in this program are segregated from other prisoners and given intensive training by specially selected officers. They are eligible for release after serving two-thirds of their sentences. A preventive detention program for hardcore offenders, which lasts for 5 to 15 years, is marked by progressive advancement to less harsh treatment, depending upon the habitual offender's willingness to respond to treatment. Data on recidivism indicate an upward trend in reconviction rates, resulting in a recidivist population of about 45 prcent of total inmates. However, this is an indication that only the hardcore criminals are in circulation, and that fewer persons take to crime as first offenders. Six tables are provided.