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Award-winning poet ArunDitha turned a painful past of domestic abuse, poverty, and drug use into a story of healing and purpose through poetry. After serving six months in prison, where she was only allowed to write letters, she rediscovered her voice at The Turning Point halfway house — and later, through the support of SP. At The Turning Point, ArunDitha learned about SP’s Diploma in Applied Drama and Psychology and was determined to apply, even though admissions had closed. With encouragement from the halfway house’s director Florence Ng, she went to SP to appeal, submitting a handwritten, tear-stained letter. Despite her grades and late application, the polytechnic granted her an interview and accepted her into the course — a pivotal moment that reignited her belief in herself. At SP, a lecturer introduced her to poetry slam workshops, where she soon excelled. At 21, she competed in her first slam with a powerful piece about a mother being taken away by police — a fictional scenario that helped her process her own imprisonment. The poem earned her a first-place tie and marked the start of her journey as a public poet. Now, through prison poetry workshops and her performance at the President’s Challenge Night (2 November, 2025), ArunDitha continues to advocate for compassion and stronger community support for inmates rebuilding their lives.

[CNA]