******************************************************
The Rainbow Reading Award Scheme for male adult prisoners in Shek Pik Prison (SPP) finished successfully today (September 22).
The torch will be passed to the Tai Lam Centre for Women, a maximum-security prison for adult female prisoners, at the end of September.
A total of 65 prisoners in SPP participated in the six-month scheme and they have submitted 131 reading reports. One participant submitted 14 reports. During the period, some 30 lecturers, teaching staff and volunteers from the City University, Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union and Agency for Volunteer Services visited prisoners at SPP and guided them to write reading reports.
Certificates of merit were given to authors of 13 best reading reports during the ceremony.
The reading award scheme was introduced in SPP in October last year with the aim of cultivating and promoting reading culture among offenders and enhancing their education and intellectual exposure. It was co-organised by the Correctional Services Department (CSD), City University of Hong Kong Staff Association, Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union, and Agency for Volunteer Services.
Officiating at the presentation ceremony were Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation), Mr Yau Chi-chiu, and Associate Professor, Department of Applied Social Science of the University, Dr Tse Wing-ling.
Ends/Saturday, September 22, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:39
NNNN
