Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1967-1968 — Page 27

men aged between 16-21 years at Kwun Tong. Although there are many fewer girls than boys whom the courts judge to be in need of residential training, such girls often need much individual attention; the Ma Tau Wai Girls' Home which has a capacity of 45 provides an addition to the previous alternatives of a probation order, which may be ineffective if there are no conditions of residence and training attached, or on the other hand the rigours of imprisonment. The probation hostel for 60 young male offenders at Kwun Tong was opened in September 1966. This is an entirely 'open' institution with no element of detention. In view of this and the fact that it is normally expected that residents will be out at work entry to this hostel is particularly carefully controlled. The principal objects of this hostel are to provide a simple routine of living in a secure and well-regulated atmosphere, some supervised, but not over-organized, leisure time occupation; and generally advice and guidance in growing up, particularly in regard to the proper use of money and budgetting. Boys are admitted when their home environment is prejudicial to their improvement; where their relationships with their parents or relatives are bad; when they have no home; when they have personal problems of immaturity, anti-social behaviour or inability to get on with others; and generally when the less continuous contact and supervision provided by a probation officer are thought to be insufficient. These young men are expected normally to be in work and earning. A contract has been signed for the construction of a second reformatory school which is needed to meet the growing demand for reformatory treatment. The new school which will be at O Pui Shan (above the Lai Chi Kok Hospital) on the north-west edge of Kowloon is expected to be ready in early 1969.

55. The Castle Peak Boys' Home has places for a maximum of 150 boys and this year accommodated an overall average of 127. The accommodation available for trade training hitherto inadequate, is now supplemented by the new vocational training block consisting of 5 workshops completed in October 1967. The curriculum includes electrical and radio repairs and a light mechanics course. The educa- tional section benefits by attendance of welfare supervisors at in-service training courses run by the Education Department, and classroom training complements social activities and pure recreation-all with the intent of strengthening character and adjustment to at least reason- able conformity with the demands of the society to which the boys will return. Features of the home that emphasize the healthy normality of

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