ENG-2006 — Page 400

332 Public Order

54 120 building inspections were made during the year. The task force also monitors the performance of registered fire service installation contractors and made 505 random checks. Legal action was being taken against five contractors who had contravened the regulations.

Appliances and Equipment

In 2006, the department had 856 fire appliances, ambulances and supporting vehicles. A fleet of 21 fireboats provided fire protection and rescue services within Hong Kong waters.

New Stations and Depots

The department continued to plan and build fire stations and ambulance depots to cope with the city's growing development and service needs and to adhere to the Government(s policy of providing the fastest response possible to emergencies. During the year, a new fire station in Kowloon Tong and two ambulance depots in Mong Kok and Kwai Chung were commissioned.

Public Liaison Group

The Public Liaison Group was set up in 1994 to encourage public participation in monitoring and improving the delivery of emergency fire and ambulance services. Thirty people from all walks of life were randomly chosen from among 77 applicants to form the group for 2006.

Correctional Services

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of services for adult and young offenders, drug addicts and offenders with psychiatric problems. Its services fall broadly under two headings: prison management and rehabilitation of offenders.

In 2006, the CSD managed 23 correctional institutions, three halfway houses, four rehabilitation centres, two custodial wards in public hospitals and one immigration centre on behalf of the Immigration Department. In all, 6 467 staff were looking after a daily average of 11 535 inmates, 314 detainees and 2 875 persons under supervision after discharge from custody.

Offenders sentenced to imprisonment are assigned to institutions according to their gender, age and security rating. Security rating takes into account, among other things, the risk the offenders pose to the community and whether they are first-time offenders. Separate institutions are provided for males and females, and for adults and young offenders. Male and female young offenders aged between 14 and 20 may be admitted to a training centre or a rehabilitation centre. A detention centre programme is available for male offenders aged between 14 and 24. Drug addicts found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be placed in a drug addiction treatment centre. Offenders requiring psychiatric treatment are accommodated in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre.

Inmates receive proper care. Their diet follows approved scales of nutritional values with regard to their health and religious requirements. All adult inmates,