ENG-1996 — Page 391

PUBLIC ORDER

During the year, VMs put up strong and sometimes violent opposition and action. against repatriations and camp transfers. A series of demonstrations, hunger strikes, and riots broke out in the camps.

In May 1996, a mass disturbance and breakout of VMs occurred in Whitehead Detention Centre. Ransacking and arson resulted in extensive damage to buildings, fixtures and vehicles. During the event, 119 VMs escaped and 117 of them have been re-captured.

Staff Training

The department's Staff Training Institute implements training programmes planned and formulated by a Training Policy Committee. In addition to co-ordinating in- service training through regional training and liaison officers at the institutional level, the institute conducts recruit, development, and specialist training.

Recruit training provides recruits with basic knowledge and skills for carrying out their duties in correctional establishments. Putonghua and Chinese Writing Skills have been incorporated into the recruit training programme. Recruit Officers undergo 26 weeks of training and recruit Assistant Officers do 23 weeks, including a two-week field placement at penal institutions.

Development training helps serving staff develop their career potential. It keeps serving staff abreast of the latest changes and development in the relevant legislation, penal policies, and management concepts.

Specialist training is provided to ensure that serving staff have the professional knowledge and skills to carry out tasks in specialised fields. Attachment training to other local government departments and overseas correctional services is also organised for officers of middle management level and above.

Non-government Organisations

Several organisations assist the department in providing services to help inmates reintegrate into the community. These include the Society for the Rehabilitation of Offenders, Hong Kong; Caritas Lok Heep Club; Hong Kong Christian Kun Sun Association; Wu Oi Christian Centre and the Prisoners' Friends' Association. They provide services such as case work, counselling, hostel accommodation, employment assistance, recreational activities and care for those with a history of mental illness.

Civil Aid Services (CAS)

The Civil Aid Services is a government auxiliary emergency service with a volunteer establishment of 3 634 adults, 3 232 cadets and a permanent staff of 126 civil

servants.

Roles and Responsibilities

Its main role is to support government departments tackle emergencies. Volunteers are trained to perform duties during typhoons, landslips and flooding; to search for and rescue people lost, injured or trapped in mountains, collapsed buildings or buried in landslides; to combat forest fires and oil pollution at sea; and to provide crowd control and communication services at charity functions and government events.

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