XN000022-1978-01-28 — Page 4

SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 1978

- 3

PRISONS DEPARTMENT DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMME A SUCCESS

******

THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT HAS ACHIEVED A GREAT SUCCESS IN DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMME WHICH HAS EARNED THE DEPARTMENT A REPUTATION BOTH LOCALLY AND ABROAD.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT OF PRISONS, MR. LO KWOK-KUEN, IN HIS ADDRESS TO 36 PRISON OFFICERS AND 66 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO TOOK PART IN A PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY AT PRISONS DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.

MR. LO SAID A PRISON OFFICER NOT ONLY HAS A DUTY TO REHABILITATE PRISONERS OR INMATES BUT A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFE CUSTODY OF THOSE WHO HAVE DONE HARM TO SOCIETY.

NOTING THAT THE DUTIES OF A PRISON OFFICER NOWADAYS ARE NOT SIMPLE OR EASY, HE TOLD THE GRADUATES: +YOU MUST AT ALL TIMES PERFORM YOUR DUTY FIRMLY BUT FAIRLY WITH UNDERSTANDING, PATIENCE, AND TACT BUT WITH DUE REGARD TO MAINTAINING A VERY HIGH STANDARD OF DISCIPLINE.+

+OFTEN A PRISON OFFICER IS CALLED UPON TO PERFORM DIFFERENT ROLES AS A GUARDIAN, COUNSELLOR, WELFARE OFFICER, EDUCATIONALIST OR THERAPIST, HE ADDED.

MR. LO WHO JOINED THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT 31 YEARS AGO IN DUE TO RETIRE SOON, A MAJOR PART OF HIS SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WITH THE TREATMENT OF DRUG OFFENDERS.