ENG-1998 — Page 389

PUBLIC ORDER

Inspectorate and Management Services

The Inspectorate and Management Services Division initiates quality management to enhance the operation of the department through its three units: the Inspectorate Unit, which carries out inspections and evaluation of service; the Complaints. Investigation Unit, which handles internal and external complaints; and the Management Services Unit, which studies and updates departmental practices to bring them into line with the prevailing policy and changing needs of the community.

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 to different work posts according to their fitness, security ratings, personal background and balance of sentence. They receive earnings for the work done and can use their earnings account to buy approved personal items twice a month. Employment keeps inmates purposefully and gainfully occupied, thus reducing the risk of unrest due to boredom and lack of meaningful activities. It also helps inmates develop the habit of working.

In 1998, about 6 500 inmates were engaged in industrial work. Penal workshops provide a wide range of goods and services for government departments and public organisations and, to a smaller extent, for the private sector. Examples are government furniture, staff uniforms and accoutrements, litter containers, mailboxes, envelops as well as traffic signs, paving slabs and kerbs for highways and the new airport. The workshops also provide laundry services for the Hospital Authority, Department of Health and Fire Services Department, book-binding services for public libraries and printing services for government departments and other public bodies.

Production and services provided by Correctional Services Industries in 1998 were equivalent to $468 million in commercial value.

Centres for Vietnamese Migrants

With the closing down of the High Island Detention Centre in May 1998, the CSD now runs only the Green Island Reception Centre as a reception and quarantine station for VIIS. Part of the Victoria Prison is also set aside for detention of these illegal immigrants.

Staff Training

The department provides staff with recruit, development and specialist training at the Staff Training Institute. Weekly in-service training is provided at individual correctional institutions. Training curriculums emphasise both theory and practice, and include laws of the HKSAR, departmental rules and regulations, counselling, social work techniques, management, psychology, criminology, penology, first aid, foot drill, anti-riot drill, self-defence, tactical training, adventure training, field training, Putonghua, Chinese writing skills, information system training and personal computer training. Induction training is also provided for non-custodial staff.

Training programmes are reviewed regularly to meet changing society and operational needs. To promote the departmental mission, vision and values, various training programmes on human resource management were organised for staff of different levels during the year.

309