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The Correctional Services Department, the Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the A1 Driving School jointly launched the Driving Training Scheme for Rehabilitated Persons in Stanley today (March 5).
The training scheme aims to assist rehabilitated offenders who are under statutory supervision to obtain light goods vehicle driving licences, so as to enhance their vocational skills and increase their employment competitiveness.
Under the one-year scheme, a subsidy will be provided to 10 rehabilitated persons each month. The fees for the learnerˇ¦s driving licence and driving test are subsidised by the Rotary Club of Kowloon East whereas the course fee for the first light goods vehicle driving course is subsidised by the A1 Driving School.
ˇ§The scheme is a clear demonstration of the communityˇ¦s support for those rehabilitated persons who were led astray in the past,ˇ¨ the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin said.
ˇ§The department has long been committed to providing suitable rehabilitation matching work for persons in custody, including assisting them in enhancing their vocational skills and increasing their employment competitiveness for their easier reintegration into society after release.ˇ¨
He added that community acceptance and support are of equal importance to rehabilitated persons, in addition to their own determination and efforts.
Mr Sin noted that giving rehabilitated persons a chance not only helped them rehabilitate but also fostered social stability. This is achieved because when a rehabilitated person reintegrated into society, determined not to go astray again, then society would have at least one less victim who may fall prey to crimes. With this objective, the department is determined to make further steps to strengthen its collaboration with non-governmental organisations and community partners to provide even better rehabilitation services.
ˇ§In future the department will put even more effort into exploring various programmes in the best interests of rehabilitated persons and residents of Hong Kong with a view to making the city more harmonious, secure and stable,ˇ¨ He said.
On behalf of the department Mr Sin thanked the Rotary Club of Kowloon East and the A1 Driving School for their support.
Officiating at the launch ceremony were the Secretary for Security, Mr Lai Tung-kwok; the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin; the President of the Rotary Club of Kowloon East, Mr Raymond Au, and the Administration Manager of A1 Driving School, Mr Tsang Hin-chiu.
Ends/Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:34
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