XN000022-1983-07-05 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, JULY 5, 1983

NEW HALF-WAY HOUSE OPENED

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A NEW HALF-WAY HOUSE FOR PEOPLE DISCHARGED FROM THE TRAINING AND DETENTION CENTRES OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS OPENED TODAY BY LADY HADDON-CAVE, WIFE OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR.

LADY HADDON-CAVE UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE $13.2 MILLION HOUSE, PHOENIX HOUSE, AT LUNG CHEUNG ROAD IN KOWLOON.

THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR THOMAS GARNER, SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, SAID THE NEW FACILITY ENABLED THE DEPARTMENT TO EXPAND THE HALF-WAY HOUSE CONCEPT TO INCLUDE PERSONS LEAVING DETENTION CENTRES, TRAINING CENTRES AND PRISONS, PARTICULARLY YOUNG PEOPLE UNDER COMPULSORY AFTER-CARE.

FROM 1968 THE SERVICE HAD BEEN RUNNING A SMALL HALF-WAY HOUSE SCHEME FOR FORMER DRUG DEPENDENTS DISCHARGED FROM DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES. WELL OVER 3 000 PEOPLE HAD BEEN RESIDENT IN THE HOUSE FOR VARYING PERIODS, HE SAID.

MR GARNER EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT, SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT ENACTING THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION, THE FACILITY WOULD IN FUTURE BE USED IN A PRE-RELEASE SCHEME.

+A PRE-RELEASE SCHEME PROVIDES STRUCTURED SUPPORT AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PARTIAL RE-ENTRY INTO THE COMMUNITY PRIOR TO COMPLETE RELEASE,+ HE SAID.

MR GARNER POINTED OUT THAT SUPPORT AND HOUSING WERE CRUCIAL FOR THE RELEASED PRISONERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS FOLLOWING RELEASE.

PHOENIX HOUSE COMPRISES TWO BUILDINGS WITH AN AREA OF 4 180 SQUARE METRES. APART FROM THE STAFF QUARTERS, THERE ARE 15 DORMITORIES PROVIDING ROOM FOR 20 WOMEN AND 100 MEN, TWO DINING ROOMS, BATHING FACILITIES, TWO SITTING AND EXERCISE AREAS, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, TWO CLASSROOMS, LIBRARY, SICK BAY AND KITCHEN.

THERE ARE 51 RESIDENTS IN THE HOUSE, THREE OF THEM GIRLS.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO WORK OR SCHOOL AND RETURN TO THE HOUSE AT NIGHT AND STAY THERE DURING WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS. ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT INCLUDING GROUP COUNSELLING, INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING AND REMEDIAL EDUCATION CLASSES ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE IR STAY TO HELP THEM ADJUST TO COMMUNITY LIFE.

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