XN000022-1974-07-09 — Page 4

TUESDAY, JULY 9, 1974

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HOW DO THE INMATES REGARD THEIR STAY IN NEW LIFE HOUSE'}

A 33-YEAR-OLD INMATE SURNAMED CHOW SAYS THE TEMPORARY RESIDENCE AT THE HOUSE IS A GREAT HELP+ TO HIM IN HIS EFFORT TO START A NEW LIFE. CHOW, WHO WAS A LORRY DRIVER BY OCCUPATION, VAS RECENTLY DISCHARGED FROM THE MA PO PING ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE. HE WAS DIRECTED TO THE HOUSE BY A REVIEW BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. FOR HIM IT WAS A RELIEF AS HE HAD NEITHER A FIXED PLACE OF ABODE NOR A FAMILY IN HONG KONG. HE HAS FOUND EMPLOYMENT AS A WORKER IN A NORTH POINT FACTORY, EARNING $18 A DAY. HE HOPES TO RESUME HIS FORMER OCCUPATION AND EXPECTS TO BE ABLE TO FIND SUITABLE ACCOMODATION OUTSIDE WHEN HE LEAVES THE HALF-WAY HOUSE IN A HONTH'S TIME.

CHOW'S VIEW ON THE USEFULNESS OF THE HOUSE IS SHARED BY A 41-YEAR-OLD INMATE SURNAMED LAU. LAU WAS DISCHARGED FROM THE TAJ LAM TREATMENT CENTRE IN THE MIDDLE OF LAST MONTH. HE WAS PREVIOUSLY IN THE EMPLOY OF A POULTRY STALL IN A MARKET IN JORDAN VALLEY. HE HAS NOW GOT A JOB WITH ANOTHER POULTRY STALL IN THE SAME MARKET. HE HAS NO FAMILY OF HIS OUN BUT HIS ELDER BROTHER IS LIVING IN TSUEN VAN WITH HIS WIFE AND SEVERAL CHILDREN. LAU IS STAYING IN THE HOUSE FOR A MONTH.

BOTH MEN ARE SATISFIED WITH THE LIFE AND MANAGEMENT AT THE HOUSE. THEY FEEL THAT THE GUIDANCE THEY GET AND THE DEGREE OF FREEDOM ALLOWED HELPS TO RESTORE THEIR CONFIDENCE AND SELF-RESPECT.

THEY BELIEVE THAT THE SYMPATHETIC ATTITUDE OF THE STAFF OF THE HOUSE AND THE FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP AKONG THE INHATES ARE SOURCES OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO PEOPLE LIKE THEM WHO ARE ANXIOUS TO TURN OVER A NEW LEAF.

THE STAFF OF THE HOUSE, COMPRISES A SUPERVISOR, BASED IN VICTORIA RECEPTION CENTRE, A FULL-TIME AFTER-CARE OFFICER, THREE ASSISTANT OFFICERS AND ONE LABOURER. THOUGH THEY ARE MEMBERS OF THE DISCIPLINARY FORCE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO WEAR UNIFORM AT THE HOUSE. THEY ARE A GROUP OF DEDICATED WORKERS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH THE WELFARE AND FUTURE REHABILITATION OF THE INMATES. THEY ARE IN FACT PART COUNSELLORS AND PART SUPERVISORS.

THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER AND HIS ASSISTANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING UNDER CLOSE OBSERVATION AND SUPERVISION THE DEMEANOUR AND ACTIVITIES OF THE INMATES. THE AFTER-CARE OFFICER CONDUCTS REGULAR CHECKS ON RESIDENTS' ACTIVITIES AND EMPLOYMENT IN SOCIETY TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS NO ABUSE OF THE TRUST IN THEM. HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING REGULAR GROUP DISCUSSIONS WITH RESIDENTS AND PROVIDES INDIVIDUAL CASE-WORK COUNSELLING, AS WELL AS TO ACT AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN RESIDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

ALL INMATES ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR URINE TESTS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED TO ASCERTAIN THAT THEY HAVE NOT RELAPSED TO DRUGS.

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