XN000022-1995-02-08 — Page 13

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Fourth CSD half-way house for released inmates opens

The fourth half-way house of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), the Pelican House, which provides residential and aftercare services to released adult prisoners, was officially opened today (Wednesday) by the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Eric McCosh.

Located on the 19th floor in block F of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital Senior Staff Quarters, Chai Wan, the house occupies an area of 226 square metres with self-contained facilities, including three bedrooms, two toilets, a sitting room, a laundry and a kitchen.

The Pelican House can accommodate a maximum of 24 male adult prisoners who have been released under the Pre-release Employment Scheme,

These residents are subject to statutory supervision and to work outside during daytime and return to the half-way house at night.

A spokesman for CSD said the programme in the house was in fact an extension of rehabilitation efforts carried out within prisons. The aim is to facilitate the residents to make transitional adjustments on their return to the community after a period of imprisonment.

"These residents will be helped to cultivate a sense of self-discipline and positive work habit within a loosely structured but supportive way," he said.

Today's opening ceremony also marked the operation of the department's Care and Supervision Unit and the removal of the Bauhinia House from Central District to its present premises on the 16th floor of the same building. "The Care and Supervision Unit provides the aftercare services to discharged inmates and young prisoners who are subjected to statutory supervision.

"The unit facilitates those supervisees and their family members who are in a crisis situation and who are in need of urgent help to seek timely assistance and guidance from the aftercare officers," the spokesman added.

Together with the Pelican House, there are four half-way houses under CSD's management. They include the Bauhinia House, for female ex-inmates; the Phoenix House, for male ex-inmates of detention and training centres; and the New Life House, for male inmates discharged from drug addiction treatment centres.

End/Wednesday, February 8, 1995