The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (September 11) held the Desistance from Crime: Correctional Research and Practice Professional Seminar to disseminate the latest research findings in correctional psychology and to explore strategic directions for future rehabilitation and crime prevention work, with the participation of over 100 members of the rehabilitation services sector and scholars.

     Since February 2024, the Correctional Rehabilitation Research Unit of the CSD, in collaboration with the Department of Psychology of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has commenced a research initiative on desistance from crime. The research involved interviews and focus group discussions with 51 rehabilitated persons and 60 persons in custody, covering different groups including adults, adolescents, males and females. Through in-depth analysis, the research summarised desistance journeys of local rehabilitated persons and key factors to desist from crime.

     The Research Professor of the Department of Psychology of the CUHK, Professor Patrick Leung, presented the research findings at the seminar. He said that, through rehabilitation services, addressing rehabilitated persons' inner needs for care and personal competence with a positive approach was found conducive to their rehabilitation and supportive of their desistance from crime. The research identified three key factors in rehabilitation, namely offering diverse learning opportunities, expanding positive social support networks, and nurturing and sustaining personal competence, self-identity and constructive interpersonal relationships. The research also indicated that the CSD's rehabilitation programmes not only help reduce recidivism among rehabilitated persons, rebuild their law-abiding identity and reconnect them with society, but also support them in giving back to society, thereby gradually transforming their lives.

     Senior Clinical Psychologist of the CSD Dr Yvonne Lee stated that the research findings affirmed the effectiveness of the rehabilitation work of the CSD and brought insights for future development. Drawing on the findings, the CSD will advance strength-based rehabilitation strategies and reinforce the role of correctional officers as rehabilitation facilitators, while actively extending its rehabilitation services from correctional institutions to the community and supporting rehabilitated persons in giving back to society.

     At the seminar, a clinical psychologist of the CSD introduced an innovative community-based rehabilitation initiative based on the theory of desistance from crime - "Human Library: Desistance from Crime". This pioneering initiative combines narrative therapy with a four-panel comic to showcase the life stories of rehabilitated persons, encouraging reflections on their past, disengagement from criminal behaviours and the cultivation of a positive lifestyle, thereby rewriting their futures. Furthermore, the Department arranged for a rehabilitated person to share his experiences in participating in psychological treatment programmes and his desistance journey. Dr Lee and Professor Leung also exchanged views with participants on the research findings, rehabilitation services and the directions for future development.

     Upholding the spirit of moving with the times and evidence-based practice, the CSD will continue to organise academic events to actively promote collaboration and exchanges with members of the rehabilitation services sector and scholars to advance professional development and innovation of rehabilitation work through scientific research.

Ends/Thursday, September 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:13

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