XN000022-1978-01-05 — Page 8

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 1978

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CERTIFICATES FOR 'FRIENDS OF PROBATIONERS*

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EIGHT LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A SIX-MONTH ASSIGNMENT UNDER THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS' RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION THIS SATURDAY.

MR. MAK WING-HONG, HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT'S PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION, WILL TAKE PART IN THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE MING GARDEN, SHERATON HOTEL AT 2.15 P.M.

THE EIGHT VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE OFFERED COMPANIONSHIP AND OTHER ASSISTANCE TO YOUNG OFFENDERS DURING THE PAST SIX MONTHS INCLUDE A POLICEWOMAN, A YOUTH WORKER, A CHINESE HERBALIST, A DRAFTSMAN, A MUSICIAN AND THREE TEACHERS.

THE SCHEME WAS STARTED IN 1975 AS A COMPLEMENTAY SERVICE RENDERED BY SELECTED VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE PERSONAL AND MORAL SUPPORT TO PROBATIONERS. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTARY WORKERS HAS INCREASED FROM 25 TO 50.

AS THE YOUNG OFFENDER MAY FEEL MORE AT EASE AND LESS SUSPICIOUS TOWARDS A VOLUNTEER WHO IS NOT ASSIGNED BY THE AUTHORITIES TO KEEP AN EYE ON HIM, THE VOLUNTEER WORKER IS MORE LIKELY TO WIN HIS TRUST AND FRIENDSHIP.

THIS PROJECT HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND TO HELP INDIRECTLY REDUCE THE RATE OF RECIDIVISM BY ESTABLISHING A NEW CIRCLE OF FRIENDS FOR THE PROBATIONER, WHO WOULD FIND IT EASIER TO BREAK AWAY FROM HIS FORMER BAD ASSOCIATES.

AFTER THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, A PANEL DISCUSSION WILL BE HELD SO THAT THE VOLUNTEERS WOULD BE ABLE TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH PROBATION STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO COVER THE FUNCTION WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MING GARDEN, SHERATON HOTEL ON SATURDAY AT 2.15 P.M. MR. MAK WING-HONG, HEAD OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S PROBATION AND CORRECTIONS DIVISION AND THE VOLUNTEERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW LATER.