ENG-1999 — Page 378

PUBLIC ORDER

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received a total of 367 referrals from judges and magistrates and 85 per cent of its recommendations were accepted.

Training Centres and Detention Centre

Training centres provide correctional training for young offenders for periods ranging from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years. These offenders attend half-day educational classes and receive half-day vocational training. They also receive character development training in the form of scouting or guiding, Hong Kong Award for Young People activities and Outward Bound training. On Sundays and public holidays, visits are made to youth centres, factories, sports centres and country parks. Activities to provide social service for the elderly, the mentally and physically handicapped are arranged for inmates nearing discharge to better prepare them for reintegration into society. To help inmates gain family support, booklets and newsletters are published and a parent-inmate centre has operated at the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution since 1998. Upon release, inmates must have suitable employment, education or vocational training and are subject to a statutory period of supervision of three years.

An effective detention centre programme is carried out at Sha Tsui Detention Centre for young male offenders aged between 14 and 20, and young male adults aged between 21 and 24. It emphasises strict discipline, strenuous training, hard work and a vigorous routine. After release, detainees are subject to a statutory supervision period of one year.

To provide an additional sentencing option for the courts in dealing with young offenders, the department is also developing a new short-term residential rehabilitation programme to be known as the Rehabilitation Centres programme. New legislation on this was introduced into the legislature in November.

Education and Vocational Training

Educational and vocational training classes conducted by qualified teachers and instructors are organised for inmates aged under 21. Education and vocational training was reviewed in 1998, and additional resources were provided to enhance the programmes. In educational classes, textbooks, including those compiled by the CSD, are used to provide inmates at different levels with suitable and practical learning material matching their maturity and development. Adult inmates may attend voluntary evening classes taught by part-time teachers. Self-study packages and distance learning courses are also available. Some inmates, mostly adults, have also participated in degree courses offered by local and overseas academic institutes.

To facilitate a smooth reintegration of young inmates into the community, vocational training courses are provided to help them to cultivate work habits and discipline, engage in productive work, acquire job skills and gain public-accredited qualifications. Various courses related to industrial or commercial skills are provided to prepare inmates for job placement upon discharge.

All inmates are encouraged to take part in both local and overseas public examinations organised by the Hong Kong Examinations Authority and overseas. authorities. Young inmates may sit for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination as school candidates, and formal classes up to certificate level are provided for them. Adult inmates may sit for the examination as private candidates.