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TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1974
HOW DO THE INMATES REGARD THEIR STAY IN 'NEW LIFE HOUSE'?
A 33-YEAR-OLD INMATE SURNAMED CHOU SAYS THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE AT THE HOUSE IS +A GREAT HELP+ TO HIM IN HIS EFFORT TO START A NEW LIFE. CHOU, WHO WAS A LOIRY DRIVER BY OCCUPATION, WAS RECENTLY DISCHARGED FROM THE NA PO PING ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE. HE WAS DIRECTED TO THE HOUSE BY A REVIEU COARD OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO KONTHS. FOR HIM IT WAS A RELIEF AS HE HAD NEITHER A FIXED PLACE OF ADODE NOR A FAMILY IN HONG KONG. HE HAS FOUND EMPLOYMENT AS A WORKER IN A NORTH POINT FACTORY, EARNING $18 A DAY. HE HOPES TO RESUME HIS FORMER OCCUPATION AND EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMODATION OUTSIDE WHEN HE LEAVES THE HALF-WAY HOUSE IN A NONTH'S TINE.
CHOW'S VIEW ON THE USEFULNESS OF THE HOUSE IS SHARED BY A 41-YEAR-OLD INNATE SURNAKED LAU. LAU WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE TAI LAM TREATMENT CENTRE IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST 10TH. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE EMPLOY OF A POULTRY STALL IN A MARKET IN JORDAN VALLEY. HE HAS NOW COT A JOD WITH ANOTHER POULTRY STALL IN THE SAME MARKET. HE HAS NO FAMILY OF HIS CUN CUT HIS ELDER BROTHER IS LIVING IN TSUEN WAN WITH HIS WIFE AND SEVERAL CHILDREN. LAU IS STAYING IN THE HOUSE FOR A MONTH.
BOTH MEN ARE SATISFIED WITH THE LIFE AND MANAGEMENT AT THE HOUSE. THEY FEEL THAT THE GUIDANCE THEY GET AND THE DEGREE OF FREEDOM ALLOWED HELPS TO RESTORE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT.
THEY BELIEVE THAT THE SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE OF THE STAFF OF THE HOUSE AND THE CRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP ALONG THE INNATES ARE SOURCES OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO PEOPLE LIKE THEN WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO TURN OVER A NEU LEAF.
THE STAFF OF THE HOUSE, COMPRISES A SUPERVISOR, BASED IN VICTORIA RECEPTION CENTRE, A FULL-TIME AFTER-CARE OFFICER, THREE ASSISTANT OFFICERS AND ONE LACOURER. THOUGH THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINARY FORCE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR UNIFORM AT THE HOUSE. THEY ARE A GROUP OF DEDICATED WORKERS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE AND FUTURE REABILITATION OF THE INMATES. THEY ARE IN FACT PART COUNSELLORS AND PART SUPERVISORS.
THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER AND HIS ASSISTANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING UNDER CLOSE OBSERVATION AND SUPERVISION THE DEMEANOUR AND ACTIVITIES OF THE INMATES. THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER CONDUCTS REGULAR CHECKS ON RESIDENTS' ACTIVITIES AND EMPLOYMENT IN SOCIETY TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO ABUSE OF THE TRUST IN THEM. HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING REGULAR GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH RESIDENTS AND PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL CASE-WORK COUNSELLING, AS VELL AS TO ACT AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
ALL INMATES ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR URINE TESTS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED TO ASCERTAIN THAT THEY HAVE NOT RELAPSED TO DRUGS.
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