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Public Order

Most of the correctional institutions' facilities have been in use for many years or are housed in buildings originally used for other purposes. A partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women to provide around 100 additional penal places and enhance its facilities is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. The department will continue to explore other possible redevelopment projects and improvement works.

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. In 2014, the Rehabilitation Unit prepared a total of 3,066 suitability reports for the courts, and recommended 466 males and 73 females as suitable for admission to a rehabilitation centre, training centre or detention centre, and 995 males and 311 females as 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 2014, 80 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 and guiding. 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 Angel Education Fund, the Care of Rehabilitated Offenders Association Foundation, the New Life Foundation, the Prisoners' Education Subsidy Fund and the Prisoners' Education Trust Fund.

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