PUBLIC ORDER
The Independent Commission Against Corruption enforces the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and promotes greater community awareness of the evils of corruption.
The Correctional Services Department administers the penal system and runs correc- tional and rehabilitative programmes. The department also manages five detention centres for Vietnamese migrants.
The Fire Services Department gives advice on fire protection and provides fire-fighting and rescue services. It also operates the main ambulance service.
Fight Crime Committee
In 1993, the Fight Crime Committee continued to provide advice on measures to combat crime. Specific subjects considered included measures to counter organised and serious crimes, the regulation of the security and guarding services industry, witness protection, the post-release supervision scheme for ex-offenders, student triad activities, and crime involving juvenile and young offenders.
An ad hoc group of the Legislative Council continued a detailed study of the Organised and Serious Crimes Bill. The Bill was introduced into the council in July 1992. Its objective is to effectively tackle organised crime, including triad-related crime, and other serious crimes through, among other things, enhanced investigative powers and provisions to enable heavier sentences to be imposed.
The Security and Guarding Services Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council on November 10, 1993. The Bill aims at regulating the security and guarding services industry through a licensing system to be run on two levels, namely, the licensing of persons who undertake security work (including watchmen) and the licensing of security companies.
The Fight Crime Committee set up an ad hoc committee to review existing witness protection arrangements in late 1992. It endorsed the ad hoc committee's final report and recommendations in April 1993. Major recommendations on witness protection endorsed by the Fight Crime Committee include the establishment of a witness protection pro- gramme and provision of sufficient funding for the programme; the review of witness accommodation in court and in custody; improvements to the existing witness assurance and assistance arrangements; and the launching of an education programme to inform the public of the witness protection programme, and the assurance and assistance arrangements.
The committee examined, in July 1991, how the post-release supervision scheme could operate. The scheme aims to rehabilitate ex-offenders, reduce the threat posed by some to public safety, reduce the chances of recidivism and turn them into useful members of society. The Post-Release Supervision Bill, which sets out the framework of the scheme, is under preparation. It is expected that the Bill will be introduced into the Legislative Council in early 1994.
The committee has devoted much of its attention to the problem of juvenile crime, in particular, triad activities in schools. An inter-departmental working group was set up in August 1992 to consider ways to provide support to schools to tackle student triad activities. The committee examined, in November 1993, the final report of the working group and endorsed its recommendations, which include integration of community resources to tackle the problems; provision of guidelines and training for discipline teachers to handle student behavioural problems; stepping up police presence near schools; and strengthening liaison among the police, discipline personnel and social workers.
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