ENG-2010 — Page 401

Public Order | 339

Assessment Services

Young offenders and offenders with drug addiction problems 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 various types of correctional facilities. Young people aged between 14 and 20 may be admitted to a training centre, rehabilitation centre, detention centre or drug addiction treatment centre; young men aged between 21 and 24 may be admitted to the detention centre and offenders aged 21 or above with drug addiction problems may be admitted to a drug addiction treatment centre.

In 2010, the Rehabilitation Unit prepared a total of 4 359 suitability reports for the courts, and recommended 911 males and 153 females suitable for admission to a rehabilitation centre, a training centre or detention centre, and 2 146 males and 461 females suitable for a drug addiction treatment centre.

Young Offender Assessment Panel

The Young Offender Assessment Panel (YOAP), comprising representatives from the CSD and the Social Welfare Department, makes recommendations to magistrates and judges on the most appropriate rehabilitation programmes for remanded males aged between 14 and 24 and females aged 14 to 20. In 2010, 241 cases were referred to the YOAP by courts for assessment.

Training Centres, Detention Centre and Rehabilitation Centres

Training centres provide correctional training for young offenders for periods ranging from six months to three years, which includes half-day educational classes and half-day vocational training. They also receive character development training in the form of scouting, guiding or outward bound training. Upon release, these young offenders must have suitable employment, education or vocational training and are subject to statutory supervision lasting three years.

A detention centre programme is carried out at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution for young male offenders aged between 14 and 20 for a period between one and six months, and young male adults aged between 21 and 24 for a period between three and 12 months. It emphasises strict discipline, strenuous training, hard work and a vigorous routine. After release, the young offenders are placed under one year of statutory supervision.

The rehabilitation centres provide a sentencing option for the courts to deal with young offenders aged between 14 and 20 who are in need of a short-term residential rehabilitation programme. Young offenders are subject to statutory supervision for one year after release.

Education

Young offenders under 21 are required to attend educational classes conducted by qualified teachers. They are encouraged to take part in both local and overseas public examinations.