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Psychological Services

PUBLIC ORDER

Qualified psychologists and specially-trained officers provide a wide range of counselling services for prisoner and inmates with emotional difficulties, behavioural or personality problems. In addition, the service also provides in-depth reports for the courts and for the department's use in deciding an offender's suitability for participation in its programmes. Research projects are also undertaken by the psychological unit as part of the effort to improve treatment programmes and reduce recidivism.

Education

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 Cur- riculum Development Committee on the advice of the Education Department. Adult offenders may, on a voluntary basis, attend evening classes run 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 Telecommunications Examination of the City and Guilds of London Institute, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations and the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination.

Visiting Justices

Justices of the Peace appointed by the Governor visit each institution either bi-weekly or monthly, depending upon the type of institution. Their statutory duties include investigat- ing complaints, checking meals and reporting on the standards of living and working conditions. They are also required to advise the commissioner on the employment of prisoners and work opportunities after release. In 1986, 517 visits were made to institu- tions, including those accommodating Vietnamese refugees, without prior notice.

Medical Services

All institutions are equipped with hospitals or sick bays providing treatment and health care, including radiodiagnostic and pathological examinations as well as prophylatic inoculations for persons in custody. While essential medical care is administered within the institutions, those inmates requiring specialist treatment are 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 and psychiatric consultations and assessment for inmates referred from other institutions and the courts.

Ante-natal and post-natal care is provided at institutions for women and in the closed centres for refugees. Arrangements are invariably made for babies to be born in govern- ment 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 26-week orientation training programme is provided for all recruit assistant officers and officers. This is followed by another four weeks of training prior to completion of their probationary period. The syllabus, which is designed for the correc- tional services, includes a study of the Laws of Hong Kong, footdrill, self-defence,