XN000022-1992-01-17 — Page 2

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992

1

GOVERNOR PAYS TRIBUTE TO CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

LAST FINALLY

THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT OCTOBER ON THE REPATRIATION OF THOSE FOUND NOT TO BE REFUGEES PROVIDES SOME LIGHT AT THE END OF A VERY LONG TUNNEL, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) ANNUAL THE INSPECTION, SIR DAVID SAID THE CAREFUL AND SENSITIVE WAY IN WHICH ARRANGEMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT WERE BEING PUT INTO EFFECT OWE A GREAT DEAL TO THE PROFESSIONALISM OF MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAID THE CSD HAD ESTABLISHED AN EXCELLENT RECORD WITH PROBLEMS, RISING TO CHALLENGES AND FINDING SOLUTIONS.

OF COPING

SIR DAVID SAID ANOTHER ENCOURAGING SIGN HAD BEEN THE STEADY то INCREASE IN RECENT MONTHS IN THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE VOLUNTEERING RETURN TO THEIR HOMELAND.

HE SAID

THE MORE

NOW

PROMINENT ROLE THE DEPARTMENT WAS PLAYING IN COUNSELLING VIETNAMESE IN THE DETENTION CENTRES HAD HAD A GREAT DEAL TO DO WITH THIS.

"THESE ARE POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS. BUT THE PROBLEM WILL BE WITH US FOR SOME TIME TO COME, THE GOVERNOR SAID, ADDING THAT HE KNEW THAT AND THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS PART WITH DETERMINATION

EFFICIENCY.

OF

ITS

"THE WAY IN WHICH IT TOOK ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HIGH ISLAND DETENTION

EXCELLENT EXAMPLE LAST SEPTEMBER WAS AN CENTRE READINESS TO ACCEPT NEW COMMITMENTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID.

14

LAST YEAR ALSO

BROUGHT

SIR DAVID SAID

CHALLENGES DEPARTMENT IN ITS TRADITIONAL, BUT NO LESS IMPORTANT, WORK OF

FOR OFFENDERS,

FOR

THE CARING

BUT THE 19

HE SAID THE PRISON POPULATION FELL SLIGHTLY INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE CARE OF THE DEPARTMENT STILL HAD TO ACCOMMODATE MORE OFFENDERS THAN THEY WERE DESIGNED FOR.

THE

"DESPITE THIS, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SUCCEEDED IN MAINTAINING BALANCE BETWEEN DISCIPLINE AND THE TRAINING NECESSARY FOR A SUCCESSFUL RETURN TO COMMUNITY LIFE.

"AN

IS

OR THE

EXAMPLE OF THE DEPARTMENT'S SUCCESS IN REHABILITATI N THAT NO-ONE COVERED BY THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION SCHEME PRE-RELEASE EMPLOYMENT SCHEME HAS REVERTED TO A LIFE OF THE SCHEMES BEGAN OVER THREE YEARS AGO," HE SAID.

CRIME SINCE

SJR DAVID SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD MADE IMAGINATIVE PROPOSALS TO

TO OFFENDERS ON RELEASE SUPERVISION FURTHER

то

HELP THEM

PROVIDE

RETURN TO A NORMAL LIFE.

THESE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED, AND THE NECESSARY TO THE LAW WERE BEING PREPARED, SIR DAVID SAID.

CHANGES

/NOTING THAT