ENG-1985 — Page 264

PUBLIC ORDER

Education

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Young offenders under the age of 21 may be required to attend compulsory educational classes conducted by qualified teachers. They follow a curriculum recommended by the Curriculum Development Committee on the advice of the Education Department. Adult offenders may, on a voluntary basis, attend evening classes conducted by part-time lecturers from the Adult Education Section of the Education Department. Correspondence courses, self-study courses and special courses leading to external examinations are also undertaken by young and adult offenders. External examinations include the Telecommu- nications Examination of the City and Guilds of London Institute, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations, Pitman's Examinations and the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination.

Visiting Justices

Justices of the Peace are appointed by the Governor to visit each institution either bi-weekly or monthly depending upon the type of institution. Their statutory duties include investigating complaints, checking meals and reporting on the standards of living and working conditions. They also advise the commissioner on the employment of prisoners and on work opportunities after release. In 1985, 519 visits were made to institutions, including those accommodating Vietnamese refugees, without prior notice.

Medical Services

Hospitals and sick-bays within institutions provide medical and health care to persons in custody including radiodiagnostic and pathological examinations as well as prophylatic inoculations. Medical officers carry out an examination on every person on admission to an institution. If necessary, appropriate medical treatment is given within the institution while anyone requiring specialist care is either referred to a visiting consultant or transferred to a government hospital as appropriate. Essential dental treatment is also provided.

Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre and a psychiatric observation unit at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre provide treatment for the criminally insane, psychiatric consultations and assess- ments for inmates referred from other institutions and the courts.

Ante-natal and post-natal care is provided at institutions for women and within the closed centres for refugees. Arrangements are invariably made for babies to be born in government hospitals rather than within an institution.

Staff Training

The department's Staff Training Institute is responsible for the training of both new staff and serving officers. A one-year orientation training programme with two intermittent field placements is provided for all recruit assistant officers and officers. Within a disciplined setting, the syllabus includes a study of the Laws of Hong Kong, footdrill, self-defence, weaponry, riot drill, first-aid and social science, including criminology, psychology and social work. The objective of the training is to develop professional skills and technical competence as well as an appropriate attitude towards the work with emphasis being placed on a realistic integration of theory and practice.

Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society

Established in 1957, the Hong Kong Discharged Prisoners' Aid Society, a voluntary organisation, provides assistance to discharged prisoners and helps with their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community. The society provides a wide range of invaluable