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PUBLIC ORDER

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Psychological Services

Clinical psychologists and specially-trained officers provide a wide range of counselling services for inmates with emotional difficulties, behavioural or personality problems. Professional consultation is offered to the courts, relevant review boards and the management of institutions to facilitate their decision making with regard to the disposal, 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.

Inspectorate and Management Services

The Department's Inspectorate and Management Services Division provides support to continuously refine and develop departmental strategy and policy on penal management functions. The division consists of three units each tasked with the responsibility to systematically review and streamline procedures, rules and regulations; to conduct "inspections and to monitor activities in penal institutions; and to redress grievances and investigate complaints lodged by the prisoners and the public as well as correctional services staff.

After-care Services

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

After-care commences immediately after the admission of an inmate into an institution. Each inmate is assigned to the care of an after-care officer who will provide him with adequate support and guidance enabling him to adapt 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 upon release.

Regular contacts with the ex-inmates are 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.

Under the provisions of the Prisoners (Release Under Supervision) Ordinance, prisoners, other than those serving life sentences or subject to deportation upon discharge, who have

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