Paragraph 2(b)
47
There is an alternative to the imprisonment of young offenders Following a report as to suitability prepared by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, the offender may be sentenced to detention in a training centre (6 months to 3 years), a detention centre (1 to 6 months for young offenders aged 14 to under 21, and 3 months to 12 months for young adults aged 21 to under 25) or if they are certified to be drug dependent to a drug addition treatment centre (2 to 12 months). The latter may be ordered for adults as well as young offenders.
48. The detention centre programme is designed as an alternative to imprisonment for young offenders who have no deep-seated involvement in crime. It is aimed at the complete reformation of the offender and the programme of strict discipline and hard work is supplemented by remedial education, counselling and statutory after care. Before being sent to a detention course, a young offender must be found physically and mentally fit for it by a medical officer. The treatment involves nothing which can be described as "cruel, inhuman or degrading" and, as such, does not contravene any of the provisions of the Covenant.
49. Young offenders are always kept apart from adults at all times in any penal institution, and there are now two institutions to accommodate male young prisoners where the programme provides half day vocational training and half day education. In rare cases where it is necessary for a young prisoner to be admitted into an adult prison, they are kept separate from the adults.
50.
Legislation came into effect in May 1980 to provide for the supervision of young offenders for up to 12 months following their release from prison. This was introduced to cater for those who before their 21st birthday, were sentenced to a term of 3 months or more and were released from prison before the age of 25.
Article 10
Paragraph 3
As
51. Under section 11(2) of the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance Cap. 226, there are restriction on punishment of children and young persons namely that no young person shall be sentenced to imprisonment if he can be suitably dealt with in any other way. an alternative to imprisonment of young offenders, the trial court may deal with the case by making the offender subject of a probation order, care and protection order, reformatory school order, or detention order all of which are under the administration of the Director of Social Welfare.
52. By putting an offender on probation. the offender is in fact put under the supervision of a probation officer for a period of 1 to 3 years during which time the offender is required to behave himself by complying with conditions laid down in the probation order while he is allowed to continue with his normal pursuits
i