ENG-1984 — Page 284

PUBLIC ORDER

After-care Service

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All persons sentenced under the Training, Detention and Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinances and certain young prisoners are subject to statutory after-care supervision on discharge. As an integral part of the correctional programme, the after-care service plays an important role in facilitating the successful reintegration of ex-inmates into the community and has achieved most encouraging results. At the end of 1984, the success rate was: detention centre, 94 per cent; training centres, 63 per cent (male), 92 per cent (female); drug addiction treatment centres, 68 per cent (male), 72 per cent (female). Altogether, 3 493 males and 176 females were under active supervision.

Psychological Services

Psychological services are provided by qualified psychologists and a wide range of counselling services is available to inmates. Assessments are also provided for the guid- ance of the courts and for departmental use in deciding the suitability of offenders for participation in the various corrective treatment programmes.

Education

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All convicted men and women under the custody of the Correctional Services Department have access to appropriate educational facilities. Educational programmes conducted by qualified full-time teachers are provided for all young offenders under 21 years of age. Remedial education is available for adult prisoners on a voluntary basis and is usually conducted by part-time teaching staff in the evenings. Correspondence courses, special courses and self-study courses are also arranged on request.

Correctional Services Industries

Correctional services industries serve the dual purpose of providing full and purposeful employment for inmates and of supplying as economically as possible goods and services to the government. The year saw an expansion in the scope of the industries to meet the demands of various departments and new industries introduced included knitting, leather work and dry cleaning.

New workshops have been opened in Stanley Prison, Shek Pik Prison and Lai Sun Correc- tional Institution. In addition, a project to upgrade plant and equipment for shoemaking and the construction of a new workshop complex at Pik Uk Prison were progressing well.

Plumbing/pipe-fitting, and air-conditioning/refrigeration courses were added to the vocational training available for young inmates with the aim of eventually obtaining external accreditation for those who successfully complete the training.

The total commercial value of goods and services for the year was estimated to be $99 million, representing an increase of 48 per cent over the previous year.

Visiting Justices

Regular visits are made to each institution by Justices of the Peace either bi-weekly or monthly depending upon the type of institution. The JPs are appointed by the Governor to carry out statutory duties including investigating complaints made by prisoners, checking meals and reporting on standards of accommodation and buildings. They are also required to advise the Commissioner of Correctional Services on the employment of prisoners in prisons and on opportunities for employment after release. Visits take place without prior notice within a specified period. In 1984, 502 visits were made to institutions including those accommodating Vietnamese refugees.