ENG-2019 — Page 311

16

Public Order

Correctional Services Department

The CSD runs a comprehensive range of programmes under two broad categories: prison management and rehabilitation of offenders.

As at 31 December, the department was managing 28 correctional facilities, with 6,595 staff looking after 7,023 persons in custody and 1,227 people 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 male and female adults and young persons in custody. Young offenders aged between 14 and 20 may be admitted to a training or rehabilitation centre. The detention centre programme is designed for males aged between 14 and 24. Drug addicts found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment may be placed in a drug addiction treatment centre.

The diets of persons in custody follow approved scales of nutritional values and take into account their health, religious and dietary requirements. All convicted adults, unless certified physically unfit, are required to work six days a week. They are assigned to different work posts according to their fitness, security ratings, personal experience and balance of sentence. They receive earnings, which may be used to buy canteen items, as an incentive to acquire good working habits and vocational skills. They can watch television and read newspapers and library books. They may send and receive letters, receive visits and take part in religious services.

To facilitate development under the two broad categories and the government's smart city initiatives, the department has been developing 'Smart Prison' in recent years and applying innovative technologies to enhance operations and security. New elements are introduced into rehabilitation services using technology to strengthen the self-management abilities of persons in custody and prepare them for reintegration into society.

Correctional Facilities

Among the 28 correctional facilities, nine are for adult males and two are for adult females. Young males are housed in one correctional institution, one detention centre, one training centre and two rehabilitation centres, while young females are accommodated in one correctional institution and two rehabilitation centres. Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, Lai Sun Correctional Institution, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and part of Lai King Correctional Institution accommodate convicted drug addicts. Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre separately houses males and females of all categories who require psychiatric observation, treatment or assessment. Seven of the correctional facilities cater for remanded people of different age groups. Two custodial wards in public hospitals accommodate persons in custody who need special medical care or surgery. Three halfway houses help those released under supervision reintegrate into society. Their residents may go out to work or attend school during daytime.

Admission of Sentenced and Remanded Persons

During the year, 8,256 adults (5,670 men and 2,586 women) were sentenced to imprisonment, 4,342 adults (3,348 men and 994 women) were remanded, 131 young offenders (105 males and 26 females) were sentenced to imprisonment, and 229 young persons (196 males and 33

257