224
PUBLIC ORDER
modern instrumental techniques, and a scene-of-crime examination service with over 600 scenes a year visited by laboratory staff.
The lack of laboratory space and an ever-increasing caseload led to a reorganisation of the sectional responsibilities in 1987, and the division now has eight specialist sections, including a newly-formed Instrumentation and Quality Assurance Section which co- ordinates and centralises instrumental support for the whole division.
With the emphasis in modern analytical laboratories on automatic methods, steps have been taken to introduce these wherever possible. To this end, quantitative analysis of opiate-based narcotic drugs is now operated routinely on a 24-hour basis, covering an average of 100 seizures a day.
In the latter part of 1987, semi-automatic analysis of fire debris was introduced, enabling another area of high caseload to be dealt with more efficiently.
The division's role in traffic accident investigation and reconstruction has continued to grow in support of increasing police activity in this area. Interpretative tachograph technology was added to the expertise available in the laboratory after the return of a specialist who had been sent to the United Kingdom for training.
Microcomputers acquired for the division at the beginning of the year proved invaluable for compiling casework and exhibit-handling records, providing intelligence on current workflow, and for statistical analyses. Computers are also used for compiling case-related indexes, the most comprehensive of which is currently the blood group index for sexual assault cases, which provides the police with information which may aid in linking similar crimes.
Correctional Services
The Correctional Services Department administers a wide range of treatment and training programmes for adult offenders, young offenders, drug addicts, and offenders with mental illness. With an establishment of 6 385 staff, the department operates 20 correctional institutions, three half-way houses, a staff training institute and an escort unit. There is capacity for 8 876 inmates, and the average daily population in 1987 was 8 160 compared with 8 107 in 1986. The department is also responsible for managing three closed centres for Vietnamese refugees. At the end of 1987, there were 6 341 Vietnamese refugees in these centres compared with 4 226 in 1986.
Staff Training
The department's Staff Training Institute trains both new staff and serving officers. All recruit officers and assistant officers undergo a 26-week orientation training programme, which is followed by a further four weeks training prior to the completion of their probationary period. The syllabus includes a study of the Laws of Hong Kong, foot-drill, self-defence, weaponry, riot-drill, first-aid, criminology and penology, basic psychology and social work.
Development training and job-oriented courses are provided throughout the year to all serving officers to update professional knowledge, prepare officers for promotion and equip selected officers for duties in specialised fields, such as counselling, aftercare, nursing, psychological services and physical education.
Adult Male Offenders
Prisoners are assigned to an institution according to their security rating, which takes into account the risk they pose to the community, and whether or not they are first offenders. Recidivists are separated from first offenders.