XN000022-1988-05-11 — Page 6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 11, 1988

FOR MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES, MR CHAMBERS SAID THE COURT MIGHT DECIDE THAT A YOUNG PERSON SHOULD BE PLACED IN A INSTITUTION SUCH AS A REMAND HOME OR A REFORMATORY SCHOOL.

RESIDENTIAL

"THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY OPERATES SEVEN OF THESE INSTITUTIONS EACH OF WHICH PROVIDES A DISCIPLINED AND CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT WHERE OFFENDERS CAN RECEIVE ACADEMIC, PREVOCATIONAL AND SOCIAL TRAINING," HE SAID.

"AFTERCARE SERVICES, INCLUDING COUNSELLING, FAMILY VISITS AND ASSISTANCE WITH ACCOMMODATION, JOB AND SCHOOL PLACEMENTS, ARE PROVIDED ALL YOUNG OFFENDERS WHO ARE COMMITTED то RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS.

FOR

WHILST THERE WAS SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PLACES IN RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS TO MEET THE PRESENT DEMAND, MR CHAMBERS SAID 'THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO PROVIDE A NEW HOME FOR GIRLS IN TUEN MUN AND ΤΟ REPROVISION TWO OF THE BOY'S HOMES.

"I HOPE I HAVE SAID ENOUGH TO REASSURE MEMBERS THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE SUBVENTED WELFARE AGENCIES PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE RANGE OF SOCIAL WORK BASED SERVICES TO HELP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE GROW UP INTO RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO PROVIDE HELP FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS," MR CHAMBERS SAID.

"THESE SERVICES ARE CO-ORDINATED THROUGH THE MECHANISM OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, WHICH IS REVIEWED AT REGULAR INTERVALS IN COLLABORATION WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES THROUGH THE COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.

H

POINTING TO THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT STRAY YOUTHS WERE REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG'S YOUTH, MR CHAMBERS SAID HE BELIEVED MOST OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WERE PREPARED TO STUDY AND WORK HARD AND TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY, AND THIS MUST BE A GOOD AUGURY FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG.

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