ENG-1994 — Page 384

PUBLIC ORDER

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Young Male Offenders

The department administers four correctional programmes for young male offenders under the Prisons, Training Centres, Drug Addiction Treatment Centres and Detention Centres Ordinances.

The maximum security Pik Uk Correctional Institution is run as a reception centre and training centre, as well as a prison, for young offenders under 21 years of age, including those who are remanded for pre-sentencing reports on their suitability for admission to the detention centre, training centre and drug addiction treatment centre programmes.

The Cape Collinson Correctional Institution houses those between the ages of 14 and 17 years; and the Lai King Training Centre, those between 18 and 20 years who have been sentenced to participate in training centre programmes.

The Lai Sun Correctional Institution on Hei Ling Chau accommodates young prisoners aged between 14 and 20 years.

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

Young male offenders identified as having special needs are, on discharge from a training centre or detention centre, housed at Phoenix House for up to three months before they are permitted to live at home or in other places while continuing under after-care supervision.

Those released from prisons under the Pre-release Employment Scheme are also accommodated at Phoenix House. Residents of this halfway house must go out to work, or attend full-time school, during the day and return in the evening.

Female Offenders

Adult females serve their sentences at the Tai Lam Centre for Women, which 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.

To cope with the increased penal population, part of the Sha Tsui Detention Centre has been set aside since August 1994 to hold female prisoners.

Female offenders under 21 years of age are held at the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, where separate sections are provided for training centre inmates, drug addiction treatment centre inmates, young prisoners and those on remand.

Bauhinia House serves as a halfway house for women and girls released under supervision from the training centre or under the Pre-release Employment Scheme. Residents of this halfway house also go out to work, or attend full-time school, during the day and return in the evening.

Drug Addiction Treatment

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