XN000022-1976-10-17 — Page 2

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1976

TURNING TO THE STRENGTHENING OF SUPERVISION AND PROVIDING MORE INTENSIVE CARE TO PROBATIONERS, MR. MAK SAID THAT THERE WAS PLAN FOR A +HOT LINE+ SYSTEM, UNDER WHICH A PROBATION OFFICER IS AVAILABLE BY TELEPHONE AROUND-THE-CLOCK TO GIVE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE FOR URGENT MATTERS, TO BE TRIED OUT IN SAN PO KONG ON A SIX-MONTH EXPERIMENTAL BASIS.

+ALL PROBATION OFFICERS IN THE DISTRICT WOULD BE CARRYING OUT AFTER OFFICE HOURS VOLUNTARY WORK ACCORDING TO A DUTY ROSTER,+ HE EMPHASISED.

+THEY CAN BE REACHED THROUGH THE CONTACT POINT SET UP AT THE BEGONIA ROAD BOYS' PROBATION HOME BY ANY PROBATIONER WHO GETS INTO TROUBLE OR WHO NEEDS URGENT ADVICE.+

MR. MAK STRESSED THAT ADVICE AND A HELPING HAND AT THE RIGHT TIME, ESPECIALLY DURING CRISIS, COULD BE THE DECIDING FACTOR IN SAVING A PROBATIONER WHO MIGHT BE ON THE BRINK OF COMMITTING CRIME AGAIN.

+INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE PLAN HAS BEEN ENCOURAGING AND IF IT PROVES WORKABLE, IT WILL BE EXTENDED TO ALL OTHER AREAS,+ HE SAID.

TURNING TO CORRECTIONAL HOMES, MR. MAK REVEALED THAT PLANS ARE UNDERWAY FOR THEIR EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING FACILITIES TO BE EXPANDED TO MEET CHANGING NEEDS. NOWADAYS, HE POINTED OUT, YOUNG PEOPLE ADMITTED TO THE HOMES ARE MORE SOPHISTICATED AND WITH HIGHER ACADEMIC ATTAINMENT. THEREFORE, THE EXISTING TRAINING PROGRAMME IS CONSTANTLY UNDER REVIEW.

+PLANS HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO INTRODUCE SECONDARY CLASSES INTO CORRECTIONAL HOMES BECAUSE MANY OF THE INMATES THERE HAVE ALREADY FINISHED THEIR PRIMARY EDUCATION.

+ INMATES WITH STILL HIGHER QUALIFICATIONS CAN BE SENT TO SCHOOLS OUTSIDE THE HOME, HE SAID.

+EXTENDED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO PROBATIONERS WHO ARE NOT RESIDENTIAL INMATES OF THE HOMES BUT CAN COME AND ATTEND CLASSES

IN EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL COURSES WHICH THEY FIND USEFUL.+

MR. MAK ALSO REVEALED THAT A NEW GIRLS'

HOME WILL BE BUILT AT SHEUNG SHING STREET, KOWLOON TO REPLACE THE PRESENT MA TAU WAI GIRLS' HOME IN ORDER TO MEET THE INCREASING DEMAND.

THE NEW HOME, HE SAID, WILL HAVE UP-TO-DATE TRAINING FACILITIES AS WELL AS A DORMITORY FOR 150 GIRLS. THE PRESENT MA TAU WAI GIRLS' HOME CAN ONLY ACCOMMODATE 60 GIRLS.

+PLANNING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING IS ALREADY IN THE ADVANCED STAGE AND IT IS HOPED THAT THE HOME WILL BE READY FOR OCCUPATION IN MID-1978, HE ADDED.

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