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The Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok, said today (October 26) that the Correctional Services Department (CSD) has attached the utmost importance to upgrading correctional facilities and addressing the overcrowding problem at some correctional institutions.
Officiating at a passing-out parade held at the department's Staff Training Institute, Mr Lai said a secure custodial environment with good order was the cornerstone of effective prison management and rehabilitative work. In this connection, the department has launched the partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women to increase the number of custodial places and enhance its ancillary facilities.
Mr Lai said, "We will continue to explore other redevelopment projects and improvement works of correctional institutions to meet the prevailing aspirations and needs of society."
He added that the rehabilitation of persons in custody was high on the department's agenda. In recent years, the department has enhanced the assessment of the reoffending risks and rehabilitative needs of persons in custody, and provided persons in custody with appropriate matching rehabilitative programmes in order to reduce recidivism.
In addition the department has also collaborated with other departments and non-government organisations to provide more diversified and market-oriented pre-release vocational training for persons in custody. The training aims to help them acquire vocational skills and obtain recognised qualifications so as to prepare them for joining the job market after release.
Mr Lai said he understood the public had high expectations of correctional officers, given their roles as society's guardians and rehabilitation facilitators. Against this background, the CSD not only seeks to provide regular training programmes for correctional officers, but also offers suitable courses in collaboration with tertiary institutions to enable them to upgrade themselves through continuous learning.
Mr Lai said, "The Oi Kwan Volunteer Group established by CSD staff has engaged in charitable activities over the years and was presented with 'The Fourth Hong Kong Volunteer Award' by the Agency for Volunteer Service last year. Just a few months ago members of the Group went to beaches to help clean up plastic pellets, fully demonstrating their dedication to serving the community."
He hoped that the passing-out members would uphold the five core values of the Department, namely Integrity, Professionalism, Humanity, Discipline and Perseverance, and do their best to discharge their correctional and rehabilitation duties for the community.
A total of 85 Assistant Officers II completed the stringent training programme over a period of 23 weeks. Among them, three officers were awarded the Golden Whistle for outstanding performance.
Ends/Friday, October 26, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:08
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