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A new series of the television documentary-drama, "The Road Back V", about rehabilitated offenders, jointly presented by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), is scheduled to premier tomorrow (September 30).
This was announced by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, at a launching ceremony today (September 29).
The six-episode series will be telecast on TVB-Jade channel at 7pm tomorrow and on consecutive Tuesdays, from September 30 until November 4.
Mr Kwok said that providing quality custodial and rehabilitative services is the CSD's main mission, but the success of offenders・ reintegration into the community hinges on their determination and support from their friends, relatives, colleagues and the public.
He said: ：The CSD has collaborated with RTHK again in the production of ．The Road Back V・ to enhance and encourage public understanding of rehabilitated offenders and CSD・s services. We hope that through RTHK・s professional production, offenders can tell people how they rehabilitate and learn from mistakes with the help of correctional officers, and their anticipation of the chance to turn over a new leaf by reintegrating into the community and become law-abiding citizens.
：The department will produce a DVD of the TV docu-drama and distribute copies to schools, community centres and youth organisations, etc. The DVD can serve as teaching material for teachers and social workers to help prevent juvenile delinquency through enhancing young people's insight into the consequences of crime. It also helps promote the message of giving help and support to rehabilitated offenders in their reintegration into the community."
Mr Kwok thanked Yuen Yuen Institute for sponsoring the production of the latest ：The Road Back；series. This is the second time that the institute has sponsored the series. He also thanked members of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders (CCSRO) for the advice and support they had given during every series of the TV docu-drama.
At the ceremony, Mr Kwok appointed renowned artist Mr Leo Ku as a Rehabilitation Ambassador for 2008. ：Mr Ku has taken action in spreading the message of ．support offenders rehabilitation・ by accepting our appointment as an ambassador. This is a great encouragement to rehabilitated offenders," the Commissioner said.
The CSD, in collaboration with RTHK, produced a total of 36 episodes in four TV docu-drama series in 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006. All of them were well-received. The first "The Road Back" series was awarded the Silver Award for Best Television Programme and the Debut Programme Award in 2000. The second series in 2002 was awarded the Gold Award in Entertainment Programmes and first runner-up in the Best Television Programmes Awards. The third series in 2004 was awarded the Gold Remi Award at The Houston International Film Festival and the Bronze Plaque in the 53rd Columbus International Film & Video Festival.
Also taking part in the ceremony were the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Wong Wah-kay; Assistant Director of Broadcasting, Mr Cheung Man-sun; First Vice-Chairman of Yuen Yuen Institute, Mr Chan Kwok-chiu, and Second Vice-Chairman, Mr Tang Kam-hung; and Chairman of the CCSRO, Mr Billy Kong.
Ends/Monday, September 29, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:25
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