ENG-2013 — Page 323

15

Public Order

females aged 14 to 20. In 2013, 139 cases were referred to the YOAP by the courts for

assessment.

Training Centres, Detention Centre and Rehabilitation Centres

Training centres provide custodial correctional training for young persons for periods ranging from six months to three years, comprising 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, they are subject to three-year statutory supervision.

The detention centre programme for young males aged between 14 and 20 is for a period between one and six months, and for 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, they are placed under one-year statutory supervision.

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. Those released from rehabilitation centres are subject to one-year statutory supervision 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. Those pursuing further studies may apply for financial assistance from various charities: the Prisoners' Education Trust Fund, the Prisoners' Education Subsidy Fund, the New Life Foundation, the Care of Rehabilitated Offenders Association Foundation and the Angel Education Fund.

Vocational Training

To help young offenders reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens, the CSD provides half- day vocational training programmes for those under 21 years of age to enable them to acquire job skills, obtain accreditation and develop work habits. The CSD provides eligible adult offenders' wishing to participate in the programmes with pre-release vocational courses. Full- time and part-time courses are provided at the Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution, the Lo Wu Correctional Institution, the Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, the Pik Uk Prison, the Tai Lam Correctional Institution, the Tong Fuk Correctional Institution and the Tung Tau Correctional Institution. Part-time courses are also held at five other institutions.

Correctional Services Industries

The CSD provides work for adult offenders as required by law to keep them gainfully employed and to help them develop good working habits, a sense of responsibility and self-confidence. Through the training received at work, they can also acquire work skills to facilitate their reintegration into society.

1 'Eligible adult offender' means an adult offender who is allowed to be employed or work and is not subject

to any condition of stay in Hong Kong after discharge.

267