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CSD Beating Retreat a resounding success
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The Correctional Services Department's (CSD) Beating Retreat 1996 held at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium on October 4 and 5, was a resounding success with tickets sold out, raising $86,700 for charity.
At the musical event, lion dance, marching band and silent drill were performed by the 221st Hong Kong Scout Group which is made up of inmates of Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and Lai King Training Centre.
Other performances, including ribbon dance and marching band, were staged by the 141st Island Rangers Guide Service Unit made up of inmates from the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution for Girls.
The event was well received by the audience comprising the elderly, disabled people, and many youth organisations members who were sponsored by donations. from various sources including CSD staff messes.
The President of the Scout Group, Mr Steve Lau Hong-wah, was the guest of honour on October 4, and the Chief Justice, Sir Ti Liang Yang, was the guest of honour on October 5.
Scouting was introduced into the training centres in 1986 and it is through scout training and activities that young offenders learn to acquire self-reliance, self- discipline, self-confidence and sense of responsibility - qualities they need to turn over a new leaf.
The 221st Hong Kong Group was established in July 1986 for the inmates of Lai King Training Centre and Cape Collinson Correctional Institution with 78 inmates from the two training centres joining the Group voluntarily. Nineteen CSD staff were appointed scout leaders.
At present, some 250 scout members from the two training centres receive training under the leadership of 35 CSD staff. In the past 10 years, a total of 1,485 inmates had joined the Group at different times.
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