ENG-2004 — Page 433

Public Order | 371

Pre-sentence Assessment Panel

People aged between 14 and 20 who are convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be remanded in custody for a period not exceeding three weeks for assessment of their suitability for admission to a training centre, rehabilitation centre, detention centre or drug addiction treatment centre. Male adults aged between 21 and 24 may be similarly remanded for admission to the detention centre.

The CSD runs the Pre-sentence Assessment Panel, which makes recommendations to the courts on the suitability of offenders for incarceration in a detention centre, training centre, rehabilitation centre or drug addiction treatment centre. The panel investigates all cases referred by the courts, and prepares suitability reports for them. In 2004, 5 506 offenders were remanded for suitability reports, and the panel found 1 423 males and 363 females suitable for admission to a rehabilitation centre, a training centre or detention centre, and 1 625 males and 267 females suitable for a drug addiction treatment centre.

Young Offender Assessment Panel

The Young Offender Assessment Panel, comprising representatives from the CSD and the Social Welfare Department, makes recommendations to magistrates and judges on the most appropriate rehabilitation programmes for male offenders aged between 14 and 24 and females aged 14 to 20. In 2004, the panel received a total of 361 referrals from judges and magistrates and 81 per cent of its recommendations were accepted.

Training Centres, Detention Centre and Rehabilitation Centres

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 and the mentally and physically handicapped are arranged for inmates nearing discharge to better prepare them for reintegration into society. The parent-inmate centre at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution helps inmates to gain family support and develop a better family relationship. Upon release, inmates must have suitable employment, education or vocational training and are subject to a statutory period of supervision of three

years.

The 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. The detention periods for young male offenders and young male adults are one to six months and three to 12 months respectively. After release, detainees are subject to a statutory supervision period of one year.

In operation since July 2002, the rehabilitation centres provide an additional sentencing option for the courts to deal with offenders aged between 14 and 20,