QUESTION NO 7
MR. CHAN
YING-LUN (in Cantonese):
are mentioned in the reply.
Sir, certain services
How many people stand to
benefit from such services each year?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I understand that during the last three years a total of 8,255 offenders were put on probation by the Magistrates Courts and 162 offenders were placed on community service orders. That is since January 1987 when the community service orders were first made by the courts. I do not have details - I do not think they are available of people who asked voluntarily to be seen by social workers but that may give some idea of the scope at the moment.
G
MRS. TAM:
Sir, I refer to the pilot project
operated by the Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders. Could the Secretary inform this Council whether this pilot project is aimed at providing compulsory counselling for offenders? If not, how is this project different from the
existing counselling service? Also, could the Secretary inform this Council when will this pilot project be evaluated?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Sir, I do not know a great
deal about this new project but as far as I know it is not compulsory. I think it is intended to make available counselling services at some of the Magistracies so that it will be easier for people who are given non-custodial
sentences to seek help if they wish to do so.
It started in April last year. I am told that when the first full year has been completed at the end of this month, a report will be prepared by the society and this will be studied by the Social Welfare Department to see whether this is a service which might qualify for subvention through the department.