PUBLIC ORDER
The drug addiction treatment programme aims to detoxify, restore physical health and, through the application of therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment, wean addicts from their dependence on drugs. Assistance is also given to addiction treatment centre inmates with post-release employment and accommodation. Temporary accommodation is available at halfway houses for those in need of such support immediately after release.
Young Offender Assessment Panel
The Young Offender Assessment Panel, comprising staff from the Correctional Services and Social Welfare Departments, was established in 1987 to provide magistrates with recommendations on the most appropriate programmes of rehabilitation for young offenders between 14 and 25 years of age. The service provided by the panel is available to juvenile courts and certain magistracies.
Education and Vocational Training
Offenders under the age of 21 attend educational and vocational training classes, conducted by qualified teachers and instructors.
For educational classes, textbooks compiled by the department are used to provide inmates with suitable and practical learning material matching their maturity in personal growth and development. Adult offenders attend evening classes, on a voluntary basis, run by part-time teachers recruited by the department. Self-study packages and external correspondence courses are also available for those who are interested.=
All offenders are encouraged to take part in public examinations organised by the City and Guilds of London Institute, Pitman Examinations Institute, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Hong Kong Examinations Authority. Young inmates are permitted to sit for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination as school candidates, and formal classes up to certificate level are provided for them. Adult inmates can sit for the examination as private candidates. Some offenders, mostly adults, have participated in degree courses offered by the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong and other academic institutes.
A wide spectrum of vocational training programmes is provided to help young inmates acquire employable skills, develop good working habits and obtain quali- fications for employment and further training. Upon their discharge, they may be referred to other vocational training organisations, such as the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Training Authority and the Clothing Industry Training Authority, to further their training.
Medical Services
All institutions have their own medical units providing basic treatment and health and dental care. Inmates requiring specialist treatment are either referred to a visiting consultant or to specialist clinics in public hospitals. Although HIV infection and AIDS are not a significant problem among the penal population, the department is committed to a programme of education and prevention.
The Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre treats prisoners with mental health problems, and offers psychiatric consultations and assessments for inmates referred by other
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