Why run by Correctional Services Department?
Hong Kong Government consider CSD to be only service in Hong
Kong suited to perform difficult task of running closed centres.
CSD run variety of institutions not just prisons; eg treatment
centres for drug addicts.
Well
Many CSD staff have social welfare qualifications.
equipped to deal with the full range of potential problems.
Education and vocational training in camps
Organised by voluntary agencies under auspices of UNHCR.
Schooling (primary and secondary) has been provided for refugee children since 1979. Standards have steadily improved.
Small scale light industrial undertakings have been introduced
into closed centres to provide refugees with employment, skill
training and some experience of western work practices. Also
training in carpentry, tailoring etc.
UNHCR, voluntary agencies and Hong Kong Government together engaged in examination of ways to improve training and education.
This has been suspended temporarily owing to to recent influx.
THE ORDERLY DEPARTURE PROGRAMME
ODP is administrative arrangement to enable people who meet UK's
standard family reunion criteria under our immigration rules, and
who are therefore entitled to enter the UK, to leave Vietnam.
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Programme was put in place in 1979 as legitimate channel for
departures from Vietnam for those eligible, and thereby reduce pressure for illegal departures.
Rate of departure under the programme controlled by Vietnamese
authorities. Many of those eligible have already waited for years
to be permitted to leave. No question of ODP being at the expense of resettlement of refugees from Hong Kong.
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