ENG-1983 — Page 247

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PUBLIC ORDER

Justices also inspect closed centres for Vietnamese refugees, paying special attention to standards of accommodation, diet, medical facilities and complaints. In 1983, 396 visits were made to the various institutions.

Medical Services in Penal Institutions and Closed Centres

All institutions are equipped with sick bays to provide treatment and health care, including vaccinations, inoculations and chest X-ray services. All persons are thoroughly examined by a medical officer on admission. Offenders suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms on admission are detoxified in an institutional sick bay or as out-patients. Persons requiring intensive medical care or surgery are referred to visiting consultants or transferred to government hospitals.

Ante-natal and post-natal care is provided in closed centres and institutions for women, and arrangements are made for babies to be born in civilian hospitals. Two psychiatrists from Castle Peak Hospital visit Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre and the psychiatric observation unit at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre daily to provide psychiatric consultation and assessment of prisoners referred from other institutions. Visiting specialist medical consul- tation is also available.

Staff Training

Newly-recruited officers and assistant officers undergo a one-year training course at the Staff Training Institute which includes two periods of field training. The institute also provides regular refresher courses and specialised continuation courses to supplement in-service training.

An extension wing, consisting of a six-storey building with accommodation and lecture rooms and an indoor firing range, was opened in June. These facilities mark a new phase of development in training for correctional staff, with increased opportunities for simulated and situational training in such practical fields as court procedure and cell searching.

Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society

The Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society is a voluntary agency providing material help and support for discharged prisoners. Its staff visit institutions regularly to establish relation- ships and make preparations for assistance after discharge. The society provides a variety of services, including finding jobs, the provision of employment rehabilitation centres, hostel accommodation, recreation and participation in community projects, as well as services for discharged prisoners with a history of mental illness.

Closed Centres for Vietnamese Refugees

The department continued to detain Vietnamese refugees in closed centres, mainly at Chi Ma Wan, Hei Ling Chau and Cape Collinson. Their numbers rose to 5 410 at the end of 1983 from 3 258 the previous year.

Chi Ma Wan Closed Centre, on Lantau Island, serves as the reception centre where arriving refugees undergo examination by medical and immigration staff. Its capacity was reduced during the year after part of it reverted to use as a prison. A new closed centre on Hei Ling Chau was opened in September and planning went ahead for conversion of Bowring Army Camp near Tuen Mun. A section of Cape Collinson Correctional Institu- tion was also converted to house refugees.

Voluntary agencies continued to play a large part in the management of social services in closed centres, with the Salvation Army and World Relief making outstanding