ENG-1991 — Page 329

PUBLIC ORDER

treatment and management of the offenders. Research projects are regularly undertaken in order to improve treatment programmes and to reduce recidivism.

Visiting Justices

Justices of the Peace appointed by the Governor visit penal institutions and the centres for Vietnamese migrants, either fortnightly or monthly, depending on the type of institution. They investigate complaints, inspect diets and report on living and working conditions. They may also advise the Commissioner of Correctional Services on the employment of prisoners and work opportunities after release.

After-care Services

After-care services are provided to inmates discharged from training, detention and drug addiction treatment centres, and to young prisoners and prisoners released under the Release Under Supervision and Pre-release Employment Schemes. The primary objective of after-care is to assist an inmate in his rehabilitation and re-integration into the community. The service also plays an essential role in enhancing the determination of an inmate in leading an industrious and law-abiding life upon discharge.

After-care commences immediately following the admission of an inmate into an institution. Each inmate is assigned to the care of an after-care officer who provide him with adequate support and guidance enabling him to the institutional programme. A sound relationship between the inmate, his family and the after-care officer is established to help the inmate overcome obstacles to rehabilitation.

Inmates are assisted, through individual and group counselling, to gain a better insight into problems arising from their social inadequacies. They are helped to become better prepared to cope with difficulties they may encounter upon release.

Regular contacts with the ex-inmates will be maintained during their statutory supervision period by the after-care officers, to ensure that the supervisees gradually settle down in the community and that the terms of the supervision orders are strictly complied with. Any breach of supervision conditions may result in the person being recalled for a further period of training or treatment.

The success of the after-care programmes is measured by the percentage of supervisees who complete supervision without reconviction and, where applicable, remain drug-free. At the end of 1991, the success rates were 94 per cent for detention centre inmates, 66

per cent for male training centre inmates, 93 per cent for female training centre inmates, 85 per cent for young male prisoners, 90 per cent for young female prisoners, 70 per cent for male drug addiction treatment centre inmates and 76 per cent for female drug addiction treatment centre inmates.

Release Under Supervision

With the enactment of the Prisoners (Release Under Supervision) Ordinance in October 1987, a Release Under Supervision Board was established to consider applications from serving prisoners to join either the Release Under Supervision or Pre-release Employment Schemes. Apart from those serving a life sentence and those subject to deportation upon release, prisoners who have served not less than half or 20 months (whichever period is the longer) of a sentence of three years or more may apply for release under supervision for the remaining portion of their sentences. Under the Pre-release Employment Scheme, prisoners

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