PUBLIC ORDER
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At the end of 1988 the department operated 20 correctional institutions, three halfway houses, a staff training institute, an escort unit, three closed centres and four detention centres for Vietnamese refugees and boat people. Policy and administrative support is provided from its headquarters. There were 6 690 staff looking after 11 314 inmates and 17 724 Vietnamese refugees boat people.
Male Offenders
Prisoners are assigned to an institution according to their security rating, which takes into account, among other things, the risk they pose to the community, and whether or not they are first offenders.
There are 12 prisons for adult male prisoners including:
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four of maximum security: Stanley Prison, Shek Pik Prison, Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre;
three of medium security: Ma Po Ping Prison, Tung Tau Correctional Institution and Victoria Prison; and
five of minimum security: Tai Lam Correctional Institution, Pik Uk Prison, Tong Fuk Centre, Ma Hang Prison, and Nei Kwu Chau Correctional Institution, which was added in November 1988.
Stanley Prison and Shek Pik Prison house prisoners serving long sentences or life imprisonment. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre accommodates the criminally insane and those requiring psychiatric treatment. Adult males awaiting trial or remanded in custody during court hearing are detained at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre which has separate sections for male civil debtors. Victoria Prison also houses illegal immigrants pending repatriation to China and a special section at Ma Hang Prison has been set aside for geriatric prisoners. All convicted prisoners who are medically fit are required by law to work.
Young Male Offenders
The Correctional Services Department operates four correctional programmes for young male offenders under the Prisons, Training Centres, Drug Addiction Treatment Centres and Detention Centres Ordinances.
The maximum security Pik Uk Correctional Institution, operates as a reception centre, a training centre as well as a prison for young offenders under 25 years of age, who are also detained in this institution for pre-sentence reports on their suitability for admission to the department's young offender programmes.
Lai Sun Correctional Institution on Hei Ling Chau accommodates young prisoners aged between 14 and 20.
Cape Collinson Correctional Institution houses those between the ages of 14 and 17 and Lai King Training Centre houses those between 18 and 20 years, who have been sentenced to the training centre programme.
A very effective detention centre programme is carried out at the medium security Sha Tsui Detention Centre. There are two sections, one for young offenders aged between 14 and 20 and the other for young adults aged between 21 and 24. The detention centre programme emphasises strict discipline, strenuous training, hard work and a vigorous routine.
Young male offenders released under supervision from the detention or training centres or under the Pre-release Employment Scheme are placed in Phoenix House. Residents in this halfway house must go out to work or attend full-time school in the daytime. Young offenders identified as having special needs who have been discharged from a training centre or detention centre are required to stay in the house for up to three months before they are permitted to live at home or in other places while continuing under aftercare supervision.