PUBLIC ORDER
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Phoenix House, a new purpose-built half-way house, provides facilities for the gradual transition from institutional to community life. In the near future, the facilities provided will be further extended with the implementation of the pre-release employment scheme for selected prisoners during the last six months' of sentence.
Success rates for the after-care service are measured by the percentage of inmates who complete statutory supervision without subsequent reconviction; in the case of drug addiction treatment centres they must also remain drug free. The supervision period for former inmates from training centres is three years, while for detention centres, drug addiction treatment centres and prisons the period is 12 months. At the end of 1983, the success rate was: detention centres, 94 per cent; training centres, 63 per cent (males), 91 per cent (females); drug addiction treatment centres, 67 per cent (males), 72 per cent (females); young prisoners, 83 per cent (males), 83 per cent (females). Altogether, 3 006 males and 142 females were under active supervision.
Psychological Services
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Psychological services are provided by qualified psychologists in the department under the guidance of a psychologist of international repute. A wide range of counselling services is provided for inmates of the institutions and assessments are provided for the guidance of the courts and for departmental use on the suitability of offenders for participation in the various corrective treatment programmes. This approach has proved to be successful and has contributed to the continued reduction in recidivism.
Correctional Services Industries
The year saw the development of several industrial complexes in the department's institutions designed to modern standards and comparable with those in the private sector. New workshops at Stanley Prison for 350 workers to produce garments will become operational in early 1984, and plans for a similar building at Pik Uk Prison are in hand.
Improvements in marketing as well as the work content are expanding the existing scope of the industries. Expansion programmes to upgrade plant and equipment for printing, laundry services and shoe making progressed while the possibility of introducing new products is under regular review. A joint working group with the Technical Education and Industrial Training Department has been formed to monitor a pilot vocational training course for young offenders in plumbing and pipe-fitting. The object is for young offenders to become qualified to a point where, on production of appropriate evidence of their ability, they will be able to find jobs on their release.
The total commercial value of goods and services for the year was estimated to be $67 million, representing a saving of $49 million to the government - an increase of 17 per cent over the previous year.
Visiting Justices
Visiting Justices are appointed by the Governor and each penal institution is visited by two Justices of the Peace fortnightly or monthly depending on the type of institution. Justices of the Peace are required to carry out certain statutory duties such as investigating complaints made to them by prisoners, inspecting diets and examining buildings and accommodation. They are required to assist the Commissioner of Correctional Services with advice and suggestions on how the prisoners should be employed, and particularly on the opportunities for the prisoners to find employment on discharge. Visits are undertaken at times and on days of their own choosing within a prescribed period, and take place without prior notice.