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introduction of a statutory post-release supervision scheme for adult offenders is being examined to improve the care and supervision of certain types of ex-prisoners. These measures aim to rehabilitate ex-offenders, reduce the threat posed by some to public safety, reduce the chances of their committing further crimes and turn them into useful members of society.
Amendments to the Gambling Ordinance were enacted to provide heavier penalties for people running illegal gambling operations. Up to the end of 1990, about 340 persons had been successfully prosecuted. Amendments to the Crimes Ordinance were enacted to provide for legislative control on nuisances associated with prostitution. Organised crime legislation is being prepared to combat triads and other organised crime syndicates more effectively. The bill is to be published as a White Bill which, together with a layman's paper, will form the basis for a public consultation exercise. These measures aim to hit triads and gangs through effective legislation against their senior members and the operations through which they earn income.
The Corporal Punishment Ordinance was repealed to abolish judicial corporal punishment in Hong Kong and legislative amendments were also made to abolish corporal punishment in detention centres, training centres and reformatory schools.
The Fight Crime Committee was very concerned about the rise in crime involving juvenile and young offenders and considered ways to reduce the involvement of young - people in crime. An extensive publicity programme was mounted to promote better parental care and responsibility. The Young Offenders Assessment Panel continued to provide advice to the courts on the correctional programmes most likely to reform juveniles and young people. Two special Outward Bound courses were also arranged for inmates of Correctional Services Department and Social Welfare Department institutions.
The development of the Integrated Law and Order Statistical System is nearing completion. By integrating information on offences and offenders kept by the Police Force, the Judiciary, the Correctional Services and Social Welfare Departments, the system will provide comprehensive data on the criminal justice system and on recidivism. Data collection, input and processing started early in 1989 and good progress has been made. Statistics on reported crimes, arrests, court dispositions and offenders in the custody of the Social Welfare Department are now available. Data on offenders in various correctional programmes of the Correctional Services Department and recidivism statistics will be available from mid-1991.
With advice from the Security Association, the drafting of new legislation to replace the Watchman Ordinance and to provide a framework for the regulation of the security industry is continuing.
The District Fight Crime Committees continued to play an important role in the fight against crime. They monitored the crime situation in their districts and helped foster both community awareness of the need to prevent crime and community participation in combatting crime. A large number of fight crime activities were organised to support government's publicity campaigns, particularly in promoting public co-operation in crime fighting and in encouraging better parental care for young people.
The District Fight Crime Committee chairmen attended a special Fight Crime Committee meeting in October, arranged in response to public concern about the crime situation at that time. Afterwards, key members of the Fight Crime Committee briefed the media, and through them, the public on the action being taken in the areas of legislation,