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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 1978
LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE RECEIVES ITS FIRST YOUNG INMATES *****
THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE OF THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT TODAY STARTED RECEIVING ITS FIRST YOUNG INMATES.
THE INMATES ARE BEING TRANSFERRED FROM OTHER YOUNG OFFENDERS INSTITUTIONS TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO STREAMLINE ITS FACILITIES FOR HANDLING YOUNG OFFENDERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT SAID THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE, A MEDIUM SECURITY INSTITUTION WITH A CAPACITY FOR 260 YOUNG OFFENDERS, WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE TRAINING FOR INMATES, AND TO ASSESS THE SUITABILITY OF REMANDS, AND ALL MINOR OFFENCE INMATES UNDER THE AGE OF 21 FOR BEING SENT TO A TRAINING CENTRE,
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE TRANSFER OF INMATES IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND THE NEW CENTRE WILL BE FULLY OPERATIONAL IN MID-OCTOBER.
THE NEW CENTRE WILL RECEIVE ALL YOUNG INMATES FROM THE TAI TAM GAP TRAINING CENTRE WHICH WILL BECOME A MINIMUM SECURITY PRISON FOR YOUNG ADULT PRISONERS' UNDER THE AGE OF 21.
THESE YOUNG ADULT PRISONERS' WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE CHATHAM ROAD CENTRE WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY CLOSE DOWN.
IN ADDITION, THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE WILL ALSO RECEIVE ALL REMANDS UNDER THE AGE OF 21, AND THOSE REMANDED BY COURT FOR ASSESSMENT OF SUITABILITY FOR A TRAINING CENTRE AT PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WHICH REMAINS A MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPENING OF THE LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND THE SUBSEQUENT CHANGES AFFECTING OTHER INSTITUTIONS FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS IS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROGRESS BEING MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE.
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