PUBLIC ORDER
I
Education and Vocational Training
Offenders under the age of 21 attend educational and vocational training classes conducted by qualified teachers and instructors. In 1998, education and vocational training was under comprehensive review and additional resources were provided to enhance the programmes. For educational classes, textbooks, including those compiled by CSD, are used to provide inmates at different levels with suitable and practical learning material matching their maturity and development. Adult offenders attend voluntary evening classes conducted by part-time teachers. Self-study packages and distance learning courses are also available for those who are interested.
All offenders are encouraged to take part in both local and overseas public examinations organised by the Hong Kong Examinations Authority and the City and Guilds of London Institute. Young inmates may 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. They may participate in examinations for the City and Guilds, Pitman and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry qualifications. Some offenders, mostly adults, have also participated in degree courses offered by the Open University of Hong Kong and other academic institutes.
Vocational training programmes are provided to help young inmates cultivate good work habits and discipline, acquire work skills and obtain public qualifications so as to prepare them for employment or further vocational training after discharge.
A Prisoners' Education Trust Fund set up with charitable donations in 1995 provides financial assistance to prisoners in educational pursuits, in the form of grants to cover course or examination fees, and expenses on reference books.
Medical Services
All institutions have their own hospitals providing basic medical treatment, 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 problem among inmates, the CSD has established guidelines for its staff in handling such cases, as well as a programme of education and prevention.
Ante-natal and post-natal care is provided in institutions for female inmates, but babies are normally delivered in public hospitals. The Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre treats prisoners with mental health problems, and offers psychiatric consultations and assessments for inmates referred by other institutions and the courts.
Psychological Services
Psychological services are provided to inmates to enhance their psychological well- being and to change their offending behaviours: Special treatment programmes are provided to sex offenders, inmates with addictive problems, young offenders as well as long-term prisoners by clinical psychologists and trained officers. Professional consultation is offered to the courts, review boards and institutional management to facilitate decision-making on the treatment and management of offenders. In September 1998, a new Evaluation and Treatment Unit was set up in the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre to further strengthen rehabilitation services for sex offenders.
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