The prisoners, predominantly gangsters, were allowed to move freely about the island, and were engaged in manual labour.

Over the next three years, the number of detainees from the mainland rose to 320 and together they transformed the island into an attractive settlement, albeit one for criminals only.

[3] As with all other military areas in the country, the entire live-firing zone is strictly off-limits at all times to civilians and unauthorised vessels.

[4] In SILFA, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) conducts military exercises, including aerial bombing and parachute/rappelling practices.

[5] The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) occasionally uses SILFA for naval gunnery drills and exercises.