ENG-1996 — Page 390

PUBLIC ORDER

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The success of the after-care programmes is measured by the percentage of ex- inmates who complete supervision without re-conviction and, where applicable, remain drug-free. The annual success rates for 1996 were 93 per cent for detention centre inmates, 65 per cent for male training centre inmates, 90 per cent for female training centre inmates, 82 per cent for young male prisoners, 83 per cent for young female prisoners, 63 per cent for male drug addiction treatment centre inmates, 75 per cent for female drug addiction treatment centre inmates, 100 per cent for the Release Under Supervision Scheme and 100 per cent for the Pre-release Employment Scheme.

The Post-release Supervision of Prisoners Ordinance, which came into operation in late 1996, provides for aftercare supervision for certain categories of adult prisoners to facilitate their rehabilitation and re-integration into society.

Correctional Services Industries

All inmates, unless certified physically unfit by Medical Officers, are required by law to work six days a week. They are assigned work according to their fitness and security ratings, personal background, balance of sentence, and so on. Employment keeps inmates purposefully and gainfully occupied, thus reducing the risk of unrest due to boredom and lack of constructive activities. It also helps inmates develop the habit of doing meaningful work.

In 1996, about 7 500 inmates were employed in industrial work. They are paid according to the work done and can use their account to buy approved personal items twice a month.

Penal workshops generate a wide range of goods and services for government departments and public organisations, and a small percentage to the private sector. Examples are government furniture, staff uniforms and accoutrements, litter containers, mailboxes and street nameplates. Under the public construction projects, Correctional Services Industries supply traffic signs, paving slabs and kerbs for the highways, new town development and the new airport-related works. Lighter trades include printing, envelope-making, bookbinding and laundry services to public hospitals.

The total production and services provided by Correctional Services Industries in 1996 was equivalent to $420 million in commercial value.

Detention Centres for Vietnamese Migrants

Since June 16, 1988, VMs arriving in Hong Kong have undergone a screening procedure to determine if they are refugees. Any person who has been screened out may appeal to a Refugee Status Review Board, which can reverse the decision. Screened-out migrants remain in the detention centres until arrangements can be made for their repatriation while those screened in as refugees are transferred to open

centres.

The department manages three centres for VMs. A small section in one of the three centres houses ex-China Vietnamese illegal immigrants. Services for the VMs co- ordinated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the centres were further reduced during the year, in line with the policy set by the UNHCR. At the end of 1996, services under the auspices of the UNHCR included education, baby clinics and outings for minors. Other essential services such as the issuance of clothing and relief items are provided by the department.

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