ENG-2011 — Page 395

Public Order | 343

In 2011, the CSD managed 29 correctional facilities with 6 588 staff looking after a daily average of 9702 persons in custody and 2 438 persons under supervision after discharge.

Offenders sentenced to imprisonment are assigned to correctional institutions according to their gender, age and security ratings. 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.

All persons in custody receive proper care. Their diet follows approved scales of nutritional values with regard to their health, religious and dietary requirements. All convicted adult offenders, unless certified physically unfit, are required to work six days a week. They are assigned to different work posts according to their fitness. and security ratings, personal background and balance of sentence. They receive earnings, which may be used for buying approved articles and canteen items. They can watch television and have access to newspapers and library books. They may send and receive letters, receive visits and participate in religious services.

Correctional Facilities

The CSD manages 10 correctional institutions of different security grading for adult males and two correctional institutions for adult females. For young male offenders, the department operates two correctional institutions, one training centre. and two rehabilitation centres. Young females are accommodated at one correctional institution and two rehabilitation centres. Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, Lai Sun Correctional Institution and Nei Kwu Correctional Institution accommodate convicted drug addicts. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre is a specific correctional facility. which separately houses male and female offenders of all categories who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Among the above, six correctional facilities cater for remanded males and females of different age groups. Each penal institution normally has dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, laundries, workshops, areas for exercise and recreation, a library and a hospital. The CSD also manages two custodial wards in public hospitals for persons in custody who require intensive medical care or surgical operations.

In addition, the CSD operates three halfway houses to help offenders, who are released under supervision, to reintegrate into society. The residents may go out to work or attend school during daytime.

Penal Population

The penal population in 2011 decreased slightly compared with 2010. While overcrowding still existed in some institutions, the average occupancy rate of all penal institutions was 87 per cent.

During the year, 12 149 adults, comprising 8 451 men and 3 698 women, were sentenced to prison and 6 761 adults (5 215 men and 1 546 women) on remand