ENG-1994 — Page 386

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Medical Services

All institutions have their own medical units providing basic treatment and health and dental care, including radiodiagnostic and pathological examinations and prophylactic inocula- tions. Inmates requiring specialist treatment are either referred to a visiting consultant or to specialist clinics in public hospitals. Those requiring hospitalisation are usually kept in custodial wards at Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals, under the charge of correctional services officers. Although HIV infection and AIDS are not a significant problem among the penal population, the department is committed to a programme of education and prevention.

The Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre treats prisoners with mental health problems, and offers psychiatric consultations and assessments for inmates referred by other institutions and the

courts-

Ante-natal and post-natal care is provided within institutions for female inmates, but babies are normally delivered in public hospitals.

Psychological Services

Clinical psychologists and specially-trained officers provide a wide range of counselling services for inmates with emotional difficulties, and behavioural and personality problems. Professional consultation is offered to courts, various review boards and institutional managements to facilitate their decision-making with regard to the disposal, treatment and management of offenders. Research projects are also regularly undertaken to better understand the characteristics and needs of offenders and to improve treatment programmes.

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 job opportunities after release.

Inspectorate and Management Services

The Inspectorate and Management Services Division studies and monitors the efficacy and efficiency of departmental policies and the management of prison establishments to optimise the utilisation of resources, as well as the level and quality of services provided. Its Inspectorate Unit monitors departmental activities through inspections, furnishes specialist advice on all security aspects of the penal institutions, and maintains an intelligence pool on prisoners' subversive activities. The Complaints Investigation Unit investigates complaints lodged by prisoners, correctional services staff and the public in order to redress grievances. The Management Services Unit reviews standing instructions, departmental manuals, rules and regulations to streamline procedures to meet the changing needs of the community.

After-care Services

After-care services are provided for inmates discharged from training, detention and drug addiction treatment centres, to young prisoners and to prisoners who participate in the Release Under Supervision and Pre-release Employment Schemes. The primary objective