ENG-2000 — Page 398

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PUBLIC ORDER

Offenders sentenced to imprisonment are assigned to institutions according to their sex, age and security rating. The last factor takes into account, among other things, the risk they pose to the community and whether they are first-time offenders. Basically, separate institutions are provided for males and females, and for adults and young offenders. A training centre programme is available for both male and female young offenders aged under 21. A detention centre programme is available for male offenders up to the age of 24. Drug addicts found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be sentenced to a drug addiction treatment centre. Separate sections are available for young addicts under 21. Offenders requiring psychiatric treatment will be accommodated in the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre.

Inmates are required to take care of their own daily living. The diet for inmates follows approved scales of nutritional values and has regard for health and religious requirements. All adult 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 factors such as their fitness and security ratings, personal background and balance of sentence. They receive earnings for the work done and may use their earnings account to buy approved personal items twice a month. Television, newspapers and library books are available to inmates. They may send out and receive an unrestricted number of letters, receive regular visits and participate in the religious services available. Compulsory education and vocational programmes are provided for inmates aged under 21 and voluntary programmes for adults. Voluntary organisations such as the Prisoners' Friends Association may visit inmates who are not visited by their families.

Prisoners released under the Pre-release Employment Scheme, offenders released under supervision from training centres, detention centres and drug addiction training centres, and those having special needs may be accommodated in halfway houses for varying lengths of time. Thereafter, they are permitted to live at home or in other places while they continue to receive after-care supervision.

Penal Institutions

The CSD manages 13 prisons for adult males, consisting of three maximum, five medium and five minimum security institutions. Two prisons accommodate adult females, one maximum and one medium security. For young offenders, the department operates three prisons (one maximum and two minimum) and two training centres for males. A training centre section for females is provided in Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution, a multi-function institution for females. There is also one detention centre for young males. Two drug addiction treatment centres are provided, one each for male and female drug addicts. The Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre is a maximum security prison which houses male and female prisoners of all categories (sentenced or on remand) and detainees who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Of all these institutions, five cater for remanded persons of different sex and age. Victoria Prison is the oldest prison in use. Facilities in a penal institution normally include dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, laundries, workshops, exercising and recreational areas, library and a hospital.

Four halfway houses operated by the CSD provide group counselling sessions and other activities for inmates to assist their reintegration into society.