ENG-2002 — Page 407

PUBLIC ORDER

Department and supplementary materials compiled by the CSD are used. To match the development of inmates at different levels and ages, a wide spectrum of curricula is offered. Adult inmates may attend evening classes on a voluntary basis. Self-study packages and distance learning courses, including degree courses offered by local and overseas academic institutes, are also available.

All inmates are encouraged to take part in both local and overseas public examinations organised by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority as well as other local and overseas authorities. Young inmates may attend formal classes up to certificate level and sit for the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination as school candidates. Adult inmates may sit for the examination as private candidates. Inmates may obtain accreditation by way of public examinations held by the City and Guilds International UK, Pitman Qualifications UK or the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examination Board.

A Prisoners' Education Trust Fund set up with charitable donations in 1995 provides financial assistance to prisoners in educational pursuits, in the form of grants to cover course or examination fees, and expenses on reference books.

Vocational Training

To help young offenders to reintegrate smoothly into society as law abiding citizens, the department provides vocational training programmes for inmates aged under 21 to enable them to learn job skills, obtain accreditation and develop work habits.

The CSD offers various training courses that match with the inmates' learning ability and needs. All vocational training courses meet the demands of the commercial and industrial sectors in Hong Kong, so that inmates can have a better opportunity for employment upon discharge. Some courses also help inmates to sit for the City and Guilds International UK or Pitman Qualifications UK examinations and to gain accreditations, or to attain the level required for enrolling in relevant courses of the Vocational Training Council and other training institutes. Other training courses are also provided to prepare inmates for employment or for vocational tests conducted by the Vocational Training Council and the Construction Industry Training Authority.

Correctional Services Industries

The Correctional Services Industries (CSI) provides work to adult prisoners as required by law. Employment keeps all convicted inmates, except those who are physically unfit for work, purposefully and gainfully occupied, thus reducing the risk of unrest due to boredom. Through work, prisoners develop good working habits and sense of responsibility, learn the spirit of teamwork and build up confidence. This will also help them acquire quality concepts, environmental awareness and the basic skills for different trades and improve their prospect of reintegration after release.

In 2002, about 7 400 prisoners were engaged in industrial work daily, on average. Workshops in penal institutions provide a wide range of goods and services mainly for government departments and public organisations. Examples are government furniture, staff uniforms and leather accoutrement, hospital linen, litter containers, mailboxes, traffic signs, paving blocks, slabs and kerbs for highways and infrastructure projects. Prisoners provide laundry services for the Hospital Authority, the Department of Health and other government departments. They also bind books for public libraries, undertake printing work and make envelopes for some government departments.

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