Hong Kong wins prestigious international corrections award

The Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) has won the inaugural President's Award of the International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA).

The Awards Ceremony was held at the Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Association at Noodwijkerhout, the Netherlands, on October 20 (Netherlands time).

The winning initiative, one of two from Hong Kong, deals with leveraging experience to add value to people in corrections.

"The initiative adds values to people and practices in prison management, co-operation with partners, staff development and prisoners rehabilitation," said Brigadier-General Haim Szmulewitz, the Chair of the Awards Committee.

A six-member CSD delegation led by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Benny Ng Ching-kwok, is attending the week-long conference together with correctional administrators from over 50 countries and regions.

Established in 1998, the ICPA has more than 400 national, institutional, individual and affiliate members from 71 countries and regions. It provides a forum for international criminal justice professionals to share ideas and practices aimed at advancing professional corrections. Hong Kong became a member in April 2000.

The ICPA Awards Programme was launched this year to recognise outstanding progress and excellence with respect to the mission of the association, particularly those achievements which advance humanitarian approaches and professional corrections.

To qualify for evaluation for the President's Award, the highest among the four-category programme, nominees require three professional references. They must have made an outstanding contribution to corrections or criminal justice, exemplifying the values of the ICPA.

The President of ICPA, Dr Ole Ingstrup, said the project team had worked incredibly hard to achieve not only greater operational efficiency and professional certification, but to enhance the reintegration process for offenders.

"The initiative also strengthens steps in work dedication and improves partnership and customer satisfaction. This programme is really impressive," he said.

End/Monday, October 21, 2002