ENG-2004 — Page 434

372 Public Order

and in need of a short-term residential rehabilitation programme. The programme consists of two phases with a total period of detention ranging from three to nine months. The first phase provides two to five months' training in a correctional institution. It focuses on discipline training with the aim of helping young offenders learn to exercise better self-control and develop a regular living pattern through half- day basic work skills training and half-day educational/ counselling programmes. During the second phase of the programme, young offenders are accommodated in an institution with a halfway house setting for one to four months. They may go out. for work, attend vocational training and educational courses, and participate in community service programmes. Discharged young offenders are subject to a statutory period of supervision of one year.

An Enhanced Reintegration Programme, providing full-time voluntary vocational training for male prisoners aged between 21 and 25, was introduced in November 2003. It aims at broadening knowledge and increasing work skills of those prisoners with at least junior secondary education. In 2004, eight inmates enrolled in the

programme.

Education

Inmates aged under 21 are required to attend educational classes conducted by qualified teachers. Text books approved by the Education and Manpower Bureau 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. Guidance is provided to adult inmates who participate in educational studies 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 of London Institute or the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examination Board.

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

With funding from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Jockey Club Inmates' Education Subsidy Scheme was set up in October 2004. The scheme, which lasts for three years, aims to better meet the education needs of prisoners, particularly to increase the number of prisoners enrolling in tertiary educational courses run by the Open University of Hong Kong and other tertiary institutes.