ENG-1989 — Page 304

PUBLIC ORDER

A very effective detention centre programme is carried out at the medium security Sha Tsui Detention Centre. There are two sections, one for young offenders aged between 14 and 20 and the other for young adults between 21 and 24. The detention centre programme emphasises strict discipline, strenuous training, hard work and a vigorous routine.

Young male offenders released under supervision from the detention or training centres or under the Pre-release Employment Scheme are placed in Phoenix House. Residents in this halfway house must go out to work or attend full-time school in the daytime. Young offenders identified as having special needs who have been discharged from a training centre or detention centre are required to stay in the house for up to three months before they are permitted to live at home or in other places while continuing under after-care supervision.

Female Offenders

Adult females serve their sentences in the New Territories at Tai Lam Centre for Women. The institution also has sections for remand prisoners and those undergoing drug addiction treatment. Most of the women are employed in an industrial laundry which provides services to government departments and public hospitals.

Female offenders under 21 years of age are held at Tai Lam Gap Correctional Institu- tion. There are separate sections for training centre inmates, drug addiction treatment centre inmates, young prisoners and remands.

Bauhinia House serves as a halfway house for girls released under supervision from the training centre or under the Pre-release Employment Scheme.

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Drug Addiction Treatment

Drug addicts found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be sentenced under the Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance to a drug addiction treatment centre. They can be detained for two to 12 months depending on their progress. In-centre treatment is followed by 12 months' statutory after-care supervision.

Male addicts are treated at Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre. Female adult addicts receive treatment at Tai Lam Centre for Women and the young at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution.

The drug addiction treatment programme aims to detoxify, restore physical health and, through the application of therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment, wean addicts from their dependence on drugs. There is also intensive follow-up after-care supervision during which time supervisees may be recalled for further treatment should supervision conditions be contravened.

Assistance is also given to addiction treatment centre inmates with post-release employment and accommodation. Temporary accommodation is available at New Life House, a halfway house for those who are in need of such support immediately following release.

Young Offender Assessment Panel

The Young Offender Assessment Panel, comprising staff from the Social Welfare and Correctional Services Departments, was established in April 1987 to provide magistrates with a co-ordinated view on the most appropriate programme for a particular young offender. At present the service is confined to Central and North Kowloon Magistracies and the Juvenile Courts. The panel has proved to be effective in handling young offenders under the age of 25.

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