PUBLIC ORDER
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Any person who has been screened out may appeal to a Refugee Status Review Board, which can reverse the decision. The screened-out migrants remain in the detention centres until arrangements can be made for their repatriation while those screened-in as refugees are transferred to open centres.
The department manages three centres for VMs. A small section in one of the three centres houses ex-China Vietnamese illegal immigrants. Services for the VMs co- ordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the centres were further reduced, in line with the policy set by the UNHCR. As at the end of the year, services under the auspices of the UNHCR included education, baby clinics and outings for minors. Other essential services such as the issuance of clothing and relief items are provided by the department.
During the year, Vietnamese migrants put up strong opposition and action against repatriations and camp transfers. A series of demonstrations, hunger strikes, and riots broke out in the camps.
Two cases of mass escape occurred in the High Island Detention Centre and the Green Island Reception Centre during the year. Almost all the 113 escapees were accounted for soon afterwards, but four were still at large at December 31.
Staff Training
The department's Staff Training Institute plans and implements training pro- grammes. It conducts recruit, development and specialist training. It also provides in-service training and conducts or co-ordinates regional seminars for all institutions. Recruit officers undergo 26 weeks' training and recruit assistant officers do 23 weeks, including a two-week field placement at penal institutions. The training syllabuses include rules and regulations, counselling, social work techniques, man- agement, psychology, criminology, first aid, weapon training, foot drill, anti-riot drill, self defence, emergency response tactics, and adventure training.
Specialist training is provided to ensure that serving staff have the professional knowledge and skills to carry out tasks in specialised fields such as emergency services, nursing, after-care, security, physical education, dog handling, and the Penal Record Information System. Attachment training to other local government departments and overseas correctional services is also organised for officers of middle management level and above.
Non-government Organisations
A number of organisations assist the department in providing services to help inmates reintegrate with the community. These include the Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, Hong Kong; Caritas Lok Heep Club; Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association; Wu Oi Christian Centre and the Prisoners' Friends' Association. They provide services such as case work, counselling, hostel accommodation, employment assistance, recreational activities and care for those with a history of mental illness.
Civil Aid Services (CAS)
The Civil Aid Services (CAS) is a government auxiliary emergency service with a volunteer establishment of 3 634 adults, 3 232 cadets and a permanent staff of 126 civil servants.