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Following is the speech by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, at the department's 2008 year-end review today (February 5):
Welcome to the CSD's Annual Press Conference, and thank you for your interest in our department.
I would like to begin by detailing the developments and achievements of the CSD in the past year, and then introduce one of our most significant new initiatives for 2009: the reorganisation of the Correctional Services Industries.
Prison Development Plan
2008 has seen the CSD make great strides in alleviating prison overcrowding and meeting the demand for decent and modern prison facilities, helping us to achieve our aim of providing high quality custodial services.
Work has been under way on developing a number of institutions throughout Hong Kong, and 2008 saw several of these projects come to fruition. Most notably, Lai King Correctional Institution, formerly the Lai King Training Centre for young male offenders, began to receive young female offenders in May after renovation. This move is to swap the roles of Lai King Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution to improve the efficiency of our young offender institutions and enhance resource deployment in training centres for young offenders. Furthermore, an extension to Block E of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre has been completed, providing an additional 144 penal places.
Looking to the future, Lo Wu Correctional Institution is still undergoing redevelopment and will provide 1,400 penal places by early 2010. We also plan to redevelop two female institutions in Chi Ma Wan in the coming years, providing 800 penal places.
Four Critical Success Factors
Progress has also been made in our efforts to rehabilitate offenders, helping us to build a safer, more inclusive society. To achieve this aim, we have identified four critical success factors: quality custodial services; comprehensive rehabilitative services; offenders' response to the programmes and their determination to turn over a new leaf; and community support for offender rehabilitation. We have endeavoured to improve in those areas under our control, and also to engage with inmates and with the public so as to achieve our goals.
Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol
In line with the implementation of a new phase in our Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders, further work has been done to lower the risk of repeat offences and to better meet the rehabilitative needs of offenders. Assessment has been extended to all local prisoners with a sentence of two years or above, and programmes for offenders both during incarceration and after their release have been enhanced.
Charity and Community Service
2008 saw the CSD receive several awards for its charitable activities and service to the community. We were awarded the "Caring Organisation Logo" for the third consecutive year by the HK Council of Social Service, and we were particularly proud to be presented with the prestigious "Total Caring Award" in February 2008, in recognition of our commitment to caring for the well-being of staff and their families as well as the community as a whole.
Recruitment and Staff Matters
The provision of training opportunities has been a primary focus for the CSD, allowing staff members to broaden their horizons and enhance their prospects. January 2008 saw the launch of a new Advanced Diploma in Applied Social Science (Corrections) Programme at the HKU SPACE. This course has been tailor-made for CSD staff, and is the only course in "Corrections" available at a tertiary level in Hong Kong.
Regional Co-operation
The CSD has maintained close contact and collaboration with other penal authorities in the region. The "Beijing-Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Prison Forum", hosted in Beijing in October 2008, was a great success. A series of discussions on "Psychological Intervention and Prisoner Reform" has helped us to identify strategies to deal with this issue both now and in the future. In a further effort to foster friendship and share work-related experiences between penal authorities, the 2008 Sports Meet of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Correctional Officers was hosted in Hong Kong this year. Singapore Prison Service and the Correction Bureau of Republic of Korea were also invited to participate as guests.
CSI Reorganisation
The Correctional Service Industries, or CSI, has undergone organisational and structural changes, and has changed its name to Industries & Vocational Training Section since February 2, 2009.
The aim of these changes is to strengthen the role of this section and enrich its functions which can facilitate better integration and co-ordination between industrial operations and vocational training activities. This will be conducive to the long-term development and effectiveness of rehabilitative services.
This new section is now detached from the Operations Division and put under the Rehabilitation Division. The Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation) will play a leading role in policy formulation and development planning for the section, while the General Manager will be responsible for the overall management of operations.
Closing Remarks
As ever, the tireless efforts of our staff have reaped great rewards in 2008. I look forward to addressing the challenges that we will face in 2009 and beyond, as we strive to provide a safe and inclusive society for all in Hong Kong.
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very happy new year, and I hope that 2009 brings you health, wealth and prosperity.
Thank you all for coming.
Ends/Thursday, February 5, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:01
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