XN000022-1990-03-17 — Page 12

SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1990

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THIRTY VOLUNTEERS COMMENDED FOR SERVICES TO OFFENDERS

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A TOTAL OF 30 VOLUNTEERS WERE COMMENDED FOR THEIR VALUABLE SERVICES TO OFFENDERS AT A CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME FOR PROBATIONERS TODAY (SATURDAY).

THE SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN 1976 ΤΟ PROMOTE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS.

DURING THE SERVICE

PERIOD, VOLUNTEERS ASSISTED PROBATIONERS AND RESIDENTS OF PROBATION HOMES AND REFORMATORY SCHOOLS IN MANY WAYS. THEY TUTORED THEM IN THEIR SCHOOLWORK, GUIDED THEM ΤΟ MAKE BETTER USE OF THEIR LEISURE, AND CULTIVATED THEIR INTEREST IN HOBBIES, SPORTS AND OTHER WORTHWHILE ACTIVITIES.

OFFICIATING AT THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID 334 VOLUNTEERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE SCHEME SINCE IT STARTED.

"THEY HAVE WILLINGLY GIVEN UP THEIR LEISURE TIME TO PROVIDE VARIOUS KINDS OF SERVICES TO INDIVIDUAL PROBATIONERS MATCHED TO THEM, HE SAID.

W

'THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE CARE, CONCERN, FRIENDSHIP AND MORAL SUPPORT OFFERED BY THE VOLUNTEERS HAS GIVEN GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO PROBATIONERS AND BOLSTERED THEIR DETERMINATION TO REFORM AND MAKE A FRESH START.

"VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE HAS OVER THE YEARS BECOME AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF PROBATION SUPERVISION AND RESIDENTIAL TRAINING," HE ADDED.

NOTING THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 75 PROBATION OFFICERS WORKING OUT OF 11 OFFICES TO SERVE THE COURTS AND MOST, IF NOT ALL, OF THEM COULD MAKE USE OF THE SERVICES OF VOLUNTEERS, MR CARTLAND SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PLANNING TO WIDEN THE SCOPE OF THE VOLUNTEER SCHEME AND TO TRY TO DRAW MORE VOLUNTEERS INTO IT.

"IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, WHEN WE LAUNCH OUR OF NEW VOLUNTEERS ON MONDAY (MARCH 19), WE WILL BE THE PRESENT NUMBER FROM 30 TO 60," HE SAID.

ANNUAL RECRUITMENT HOPING TO DOUBLE

THIS BVENING FOR STILL SERVING то

THE DEPARTMENT ALSO HELD A SPRING RECEPTION THE VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE HELPED IN THE PAST OR ARE GET TOGETHER TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE, VIEWS AND FEELINGS.

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