Social_Welfare_Annual_Report_1970-1971 — Page 25

caseworkers of these institutions, prepares for the final and in many cases the most crucial stage in the rehabilitation process in the treat- ment of delinquent children. The period of after-care varies from 18 months to two years according to individual needs. Details of the number of age groups of boys being supervised after discharge from reformatory schools is at (Table II of Appendix 7).

49. The Begonia Road Boys' Home, a multi-purpose institution, is extensively used and is frequently full to its capacity of 160. Not only does it take in boys who have been arrested or remanded, or who have been committed for a maximum of six months' detention under the Juvenile Offenders Ordinance, Cap. 226, but it also serves as a Home for boys on probation whom the court may order to reside at an approved institution. Usually this is because their own homes are so unsatisfactory that supervision alone might not succeed. In February 1971 the Home was also declared a place of refuge under the Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance.

50. The Ma Tau Wai Girls' Home which has been expanded to cater for 60 girls, is a multi-purpose institution serving a similar function to that of the Begonia Road Boys' Home. The Home also provides residential treatment for girls who are placed on probation with a special condition of residence for a period not more than one year. In addition it is used as a place of refuge under the Protection of Women and Juveniles Ordinance Cap. 213 for girls who, while having behavioural problems, are not necessarily guilty of criminal offences. Although fewer women and girls commit crimes, usually their problems do not come singly and often their moral as well as delinquent behaviour requires adjustment. The programme of activities provided in the Home is focused on a variety of educational, recreational and work activities coupled with the effective use of the institution's group life. The capacity of the home has proved inadequate as the number of cases referred by the courts has increased. Plans are already advanced to build a new Home at Broadcast Drive, Kowloon.

51. The Kwun Tong Hostel is a probation hostel for 60 young men normally between 16 and 21 years of age, who are placed on probation by the courts with a special condition of residence for a maximum period of one year. It is entirely open' with no element of detention and is intended as an ancillary aid to successful probation treatment. The young men are expected normally to be at work and earning a

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