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Public Order

Correctional Services

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of programmes for adult and young persons in custody under two broad headings: prison management and rehabilitation of offenders.

In 2012, the CSD managed 29 correctional facilities with 6,657 staff looking after a daily average of 9,285 persons in custody and 2,239 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 to buy approved articles and canteen items) as an incentive to acquire good working habits and vocational skills. 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 facilities of different security grading for adult males and two correctional facilities 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 separately houses male and female offenders of all categories who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Five of the 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 special 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

In 2012, 11,479 adults (7,919 men and 3,560 women) were sentenced to prison, 6,561 adults (5,038 men and 1,523 women) on remand were taken into custody, 372 young offenders were sentenced to imprisonment (281 males and 91 females), and 596 young persons on remand

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