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The Commissioner said the business of corrections was attempting to help a person see how his or her behaviour had led to crime, and to help the inmate correct this behaviour.
"The idea behind this is that everyone deserves a second chance and if that person can learn from mistakes, and thereby not repeat the mistakes, then that second chance is taken," he added.
"Those who measure performance solely by the dollar would argue that in providing aftercare to all, we are wasting money on certain individuals for whom it will not work.
"True, there will always be those who re-offend, just as there will be those who will never re-offend.
"But who among us will be prepared to sit inn judgement on candidates for aftercare, condemning those deemed 'a waste' to a life of crime because no-one is prepared even to consider giving them the opportunity to take a second chance," said Mr Lai.
End
Appointments to Civil Service Standing Commission
The Governor has appointed Mr Pang Yuk-wing and Professor Chan Yuk-shee as members of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service for a term of two years with effect from October 1, 1996.
Mr Pang Yuk-wing is the Executive Director and Deputy Chief Executive of the Bank of East Asia and Professor Chan Yuk-shee is the Dean of Business and Management of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
The Standing Commission, chaired by Sir Sidney Gordon, advises the Government on principles and practices governing the pay and conditions of service of the non-directorate civil service other than the disciplined services.
Other members on the Commission are Dr Wilfred Chan Siu-yuen, Mr Nicholas Chiu Sai-chuen, Mr David A Morris, Mr David W Gairns, Mrs Janie Kaung Lai-chun, Mr Simon Ip and Mr Tam Yiu-chung.
End