148
PUBLIC ORDER
and the examination of accommodation. They are required to report in writing to the Governor any abuses they observe or discover. They are also required to assist the Commissioner of Prisons with advice and suggestions on the employment of prisoners, with particular reference to their employment opportunities on discharge. All comments, suggestions and recommendations are carefully evaluated and considered for appropriate action. Visits are undertaken at times and on days of the Justices' own choosing, within a prescribed period, and take place without prior notice. A total of 370 such visits were made by Justices to the various institutions during the year.
Medical Care
All penal institutions are equipped with hospitals or sick bays providing health care, including vaccinations, inoculations and chest X-rays for inmates. Full dental care is given to those serving a sentence of more than three years, and routine and emergency treatment is available for those serving shorter sentences. -
Medical and surgical emergencies are transferred to government hospitals while less urgent cases are referred to visiting consultants or to government specialist clinics. Two psychiatrists from Castle Peak Hospital visit Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre daily to provide treatment, to prepare psychiatric reports for the courts and to examine prisoners referred for assessment from other institutions.
In 1981, a total of 1 835 prisoners and inmates voluntarily donated blood to the Hong Kong Red Cross.
Staff Training
The Staff Training Institute provides basic training for new members of staff. All newly recruited officers and assistant officers must undergo a one-year training course which is divided into three stages interspersed with two periods of field training. The institute also provides regular refresher courses and specialised continuation courses for serving staff to supplement in-service training.
Work on an extension to the Staff Training Institute started in June 1981 and the project is expected to be completed in early 1983.
Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society
The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society is a voluntary agency for the care and rehabilitation of discharged prisoners. The society provides a wide range of services, both before and after release, and operates a volunteers' scheme to assist prisoners' families with domestic problems. The society also arranges recreational activities in institutions including variety shows, sports fixtures and film features, which help it to build up a good relationship with prisoners.
Fire Services
The Fire Services Department responded to and dealt with 274 632 emergencies in 1981, of which 14 231 were fire calls, 7 434 special service calls and 252 967 ambulance calls. Fires caused 42 deaths, and left a further 776 other people injured. Of the injured, 82 were firemen. A total of 1 482 people were rescued and hundreds of others were led to safety by firemen.
False alarm calls numbered 4701 of which the great majority were caused with good intent either by the public or by over sensitive or defective automatic alarm systems, particularly smoke detectors.