PUBLIC ORDER
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inter-institutional band contest, a musical performance highlighting scouting activities of inmates of the training centres, and the production of a VCD for the second series of the TV documentary-drama The Road Back. An increasing number of community groups share the view that the community as a whole will benefit from the successful transition of rehabilitated offenders, and express interest in rendering support to them after learning of their needs and the efforts they have made towards rehabilitation.
Information Technology and Management Services
Information technology is used extensively in the CSD to improve its efficiency in daily operation and record-keeping. Computer systems are used in the management of the movement of persons in custody, their daily provisions, work flow of the Correctional Services Industries, as well as staff management and administration. Continuous efforts are being made to enhance the quality and efficiency of prison management and rehabilitation services through the introduction of new technologies. The Quality Assurance Division of the department initiates quality management to improve operations by carrying out management studies, inspections and evaluation of services as well as updating departmental practices to bring them in line with the prevailing policy and the changing needs of the community.
Staff Training
To strive for excellence in the delivery of quality custodial and rehabilitative services, the department is committed to providing staff with comprehensive training in modern correctional services and management skills. The department uses information technology to enhance efficacy both in the provision of training information and in the management of training resources. To promote self-learning, an e-learning platform has been established where staff can access various web-based training materials.
The Staff Development Theme for the year was 'Organisational Learning' which was an extension of the Corporate Culture Change Project that started in 2000 to advocate flexibility in the management of the department. As a learning organisation, the department encourages participation in the learning process at both individual and team levels. Apart from training new recruits, the Staff Training Institute (STI) offers serving staff with a wide range of job-related and professional training courses. Weekly in-service training is provided at team level at each correctional institution. The training curricula place equal emphasis on theory and practice, and include laws of the HKSAR, departmental rules and regulations, counselling, management, psychology, criminology, penology, first aid, foot drill, anti-riot drill, self-defence, tactical training, adventure training, field training, Putonghua, writing skills and information technology.
Customised training courses are scheduled from time to time to upgrade officers' professional knowledge and to develop their competencies for higher responsibilities. Some examples include the 'Diploma in Penology' jointly organised by the department and the School of Continuing Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the course on 'Disciplinary Proceedings and Practices' organised by the Law Division of the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong. The 'Leadership Development Scheme' arranged by the department and the Civil Service Training and Development Institute provides selected senior officers with an opportunity to attend leadership and management