XN000022-1983-05-14 — Page 2

SATURDAY, MAY 14, 1983

CORRECTIONAL SERVICES VITAL ROLE STRESSED

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THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT PLAYS A MOST SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PREVENTING CRIME AS IT SEEKS TO REFORM ITS INMATES. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID AT A. PASSING-OUT PARADE OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS TODAY (SATURDAY).

MR JEAFFRESON SAID HE WAS MOST IMPRESSED BY THE WAY THE ATTITUDE OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THE INMATES OF INSTITUTIONS HAD CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

+THE ACCENT NOW IS ON REFORMING CRIMINALS, NOT WAREHOUSING THEM. WHAT YOU WILL BE TRYING TO DO IS TO RE-EDUCATE THEM SO THAT THEY CAN RETURN TO SOCIETY WITHOUT HAVING TO RESORT AGAIN TO CRIME,+ HE REMARKED.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY BE SEEKING THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON HOW THE EFFORT OF A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND OF COMMUNITY AGENCIES COULD BE MADE COLLECTIVELY MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE PREVENTION OF CRIME.

HE WAS CERTAIN THAT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S IMPORTANCE IN THIS CONTEXT WOULD BE ACCENTUATED.

MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE OPENING OF THE DEPARTMENT'S PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT CENTRE IN LUNG CHEUNG ROAD, IN WHICH SELECTED PRISONERS WOULD BE ABLE TO WORK OUTSIDE BEFORE RELEASE, SHOULE HELP TO EASE THEM BACK INTO SOCIETY WITHOUT TOO MUCH A SHOCK, WITH THE OBJECT OF KEEPING THEM FROM REVERTING TO CRIME.

HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF A JOINT EFFORT BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING DEPARTMENT TO UPGRADE VOCATIONAL TRAINING PARTICULARLY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 21.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THE IDEA WOULD BE TO HAVE THEM TRADE TESTED AND ISSUED WITH A CERTIFICATE WHICH WOULD HELP THEM TO FIND EMPLOYMENT WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED.

+AGAIN, THE OBJECT IS TO TRY AND DISCOURAGE THEM FROM RETURNING TO CRIME,+ HE ADDED.

MR JEAFFRESON WAS THE INSPECTING OFFICER AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE WHICH WAS HELD AT THE DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE IN STANLEY.

ON PARADE WERE 29 OFFICERS AND 67 ASSISTANT OFFICERS WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR SIX-MONTH BASIC TRAINING.

HE ALSO PRESENTED SILVER WHISTLES TO THE TWO BEST ALL-ROUND RECRUITS, MESSRS CHUI HUNG-KWONG AND CHENG LUNG-KWONG,

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