# Hong Kong Fact Sheets/Correctional Services (March 2015)

​HONG KONG: THE FACTS
Correctional Services
Over the years Hong Kong has developed an internationally acclaimed correctional system, which places increasing emphasis on correction and rehabilitation of persons in custody. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of rehabilitation programmes targeting different types of persons in custody such as young offenders, drug dependants, first-time offenders and recidivists.
With an establishment of 6 899 staff, CSD manages 29 correctional facilities comprising correctional institutions, half-way houses and custodial wards of public hospitals. The correctional institutions include minimum, medium and maximum security prisons, a psychiatric centre and training, detention, rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment centres. Apart from 24 correctional institutions, there are three half-way houses and two custodial wards, which altogether accommodate about 8 800 persons. CSD also runs an extensive community-based supervision service with some 2 200 persons under active supervision at the end of 2014.
For the health of persons in custody, CSD actively supports the Government's anti-smoking policy and promotes a no smoking culture among persons in custody through various anti-smoking measures including education, propaganda, counseling and organising smoking cessation courses. In addition to assigning Tung Tau Correctional Institution as the first "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on 1 January 2013, CSD assigned Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution as the second "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on 1 December 2014 to accommodate adult persons in custody who do not smoke.
To promote the conservation of precious resources and minimise pollution, CSD has all along been adopting the principles of environmental protection and caring for the community in its management to reduce food waste in penal institutions. In April 2013, CSD has implemented the "Waste No Food Scheme" in Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI) to promote the culture of reducing waste and cherishing food for the support of environmental protection. Apart from saving food and reducing food waste, LWCI has also installed a food waste decomposing system to convert food waste into useful organic fertilisers. The scheme was later extended to Tai Lam Centre for Women, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and the Elderly Unit of Tai Lam Correctional Institution.
Adult Male Persons in Custody: CSD operates 9 correctional institutions for male adults. Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre accommodates persons awaiting trial and newly-convicted persons pending classification and allocation to other institutions.
Stanley Prison, the largest maximum-security prison, houses persons serving life or long-term sentences. Another maximum-security prison, Shek Pik Prison, houses those serving medium to long-term sentences including life imprisonment.
Tong Fuk Correctional Institution, Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution are medium-security prisons.
The three minimum-security prisons are Tung Tau Correctional Institution, Pik Uk Prison and Tai Lam Correctional Institution. Elderly persons in custody, generally aged over 65, are housed at Tai Lam Correctional Institution.
Young Male Persons in Custody: Pik Uk Correctional Institution, a maximum-security institution, houses remand and convicted young persons in custody. Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution is a minimum-security institution for young persons in custody serving imprisonment. Cape Collinson Correctional Institution is a training centre for those aged between 14 and under 21. Those committed to training centres receive a period of training from six months to three years. Release is followed by a three-year compulsory supervision. The above young persons in custody have to participate in a programme based on half-day education and half-day vocational training.
Sha Tsui Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution for detention centre detainees, emphasises strict discipline, hard work and counselling. Detention varies from one to six months for offenders aged between 14 and under 21, and three to 12 months for those aged between 21 and under 25. There is a 12-month supervision following release.
Lai Chi and Lai Hang Rehabilitation Centres house young male persons in custody for an aggregate period of three to nine months. The rehabilitation centre programme, focuses on reformation of young offenders, who are subject to one year's supervision after release.
Adult Female Persons in Custody: There are two correctional institutions for female adults. Tai Lam Centre for Women is a maximum-security institution functioning as a remand centre and a prison for adult women. Lo Wu Correctional Institution is the newest institution for female adults, with one minimum-security wing and two medium-security wings. They are operated under the Correctional Services Integrated Management which emphasises care for people, environment and the community.
Young Female Persons in Custody: Lai King Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution, operates as a reception centre, training centre, drug addiction treatment centre and prison for young persons in custody aged between 14 and under 21. Chi Lan and Wai Lan Rehabilitation Centres accommodate young female persons in custody under the rehabilitation centre programme.
​Drug Addiction Treatment: CSD runs a compulsory treatment programme for convicted drug addicts. It provides the courts with an alternative to imprisonment. Adult male drug abusers and young male drug abusers are accommodated at Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Lai Sun Correctional Institution respectively while adult and young females are accommodated at Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and Lai King Correctional Institution respectively. An inmate undergoes the treatment programme for two to 12 months, which is based on discipline and open-air physical activities including work programmes and therapy, and is supported by one-year post release statutory supervision.
Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre provides psychiatric treatment for the criminally insane, dangerous and violent persons in custody. Persons sentenced under the Mental Health Ordinance and those requiring psychiatric assessment or treatment are accommodated in the Psychiatric Centre. Visiting psychiatrists of Hospital Authority also provide psychiatric assessments for the courts. Males and females are located at separate sections therein.
Industries and Vocational Training: CSD keeps convicted persons purposely and gainfully occupied for maintaining prison stability. In the pursuit of rehabilitation for offenders, the Industries and Vocational Training Section helps the persons in custody reintegrate into the society through acquisition of skills in industrial work and by providing vocational training to enhance their employability.
In 2014, a daily average of 4 452 persons in custody were engaged in industrial work to provide a wide range of goods and services for the public sector in a cost effective manner. Examples are office furniture, staff uniforms, hospital linen, filter masks, fiberglass litter containers, traffic signs, metal railings, slabs and kerbs for infrastructure projects. Persons in custody also provide laundry services for the Hospital Authority, Department of Health and Fire Services Department. They laminate books for public libraries and local universities, undertake printing work and make file jackets and envelopes for government departments.
Provision of vocational training to persons in custody has been an important component of our rehabilitation regime. A series of diversified and market-oriented vocational training programmes with recognised accreditation are organised for both young and adult persons in custody to strengthen their capability.
For young persons in custody, CSD provides half-day compulsory technical, commercial and services training. Equal importance is placed on theoretical and practical aspects of the curriculum which prepares them to pursue further training after release.
For adult persons in custody, CSD provides pre-release vocational training courses on a full-time and part-time voluntary basis in various adult institutions. Adult persons in custody engaged in industrial production are trained to acquire necessary skills. Where appropriate, CSD helps them obtain skill accreditation by enrolling them in relevant Intermediate Trade Tests conducted by vocational training organisations, or applying through the Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework.
Supervision Service: To ensure continuous care and guidance, statutory supervision is provided for young persons in custody; persons released from training, detention, rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment centres; and those released under various schemes such as the Release Under Supervision Scheme (RUSS), Pre-release Employment Scheme (PRES), Post-release Supervision of Prisoners Scheme (PRSS), Conditional Release Scheme (CRS) and Supervision After Release Scheme (SARS). Supervision staff work closely with the persons in custody and their families to help foster good relationship between them and prepare them to face possible challenges and demands upon their return to the community. Regular contacts are maintained with every person in custody. Close supervision continues after discharge through frequent visits to supervisees' home or place of work throughout the supervision period.
CSD runs three half-way houses — Phoenix House in Lung Yan Road for young supervisees released from detention, training and drug addiction treatment centres; Pelican House which is annexed to Phoenix House for persons in custody released under the RUSS, PRES and CRS as well as adults from drug addiction treatment centres and supervisees released under the PRSS with accommodation needs; and Bauhinia House in Tai Lam Chung for female persons released under the RUSS, PRES and CRS and female supervisees released from training and drug addiction treatment centres.
Success rates for the supervision service are measured by the percentage of persons in custody who complete the statutory supervision without reconviction. For supervisees from drug addiction treatment centre, they must also remain drug free. In 2014, the success rates were: detention centre (95 per cent), training centres (67 per cent), drug addiction treatment centres (51 per cent), rehabilitation centres (95 per cent), young prisoners (91 per cent), RUSS (100 per cent), PRES (100 per cent), SARS (100 per cent), CRS (100 per cent) and PRSS (91 per cent). Altogether, 1 683 males and 350 females completed statutory supervision in 2014 whereas 1 785 males and 384 females were under active supervision as at end of 2014.
Welfare and Counselling Services: Rehabilitation Officers look after the welfare of persons in custody by providing assistance and guidance to help them solve their personal problems and cope with difficulties arising from detention. The officers also organise programmes such as Sentence Planning Scheme to encourage persons in custody serving long-term sentences to spend their time purposefully and the Pre-release Re-integration Orientation Courses to prepare them for release.
To further improve rehabilitative services for persons in custody through community involvement, CSD officers work closely with over 80 non-government organisations (NGOs) to co-ordinate a variety of activities ranging from counselling services and religious sacraments to large-scale cultural ventures and recreational projects in correctional institutions.
Psychological Services: Psychological services are provided for persons in custody to improve their psychological well-being and help change their offending behaviour. Psychological assessments are provided for the courts, review boards and institution management to facilitate their decision making and management of persons in custody. Therapeutic programmes for persons in custody include Offending Behaviour Programme for young persons in custody which targets criminogenic factors related to offending and Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Programme for drug abusers. Sex offenders are scheduled to receive systematic treatment programmes in the Sex Offenders Evaluation and Treatment Unit (ETU) aiming at changing their offending behaviour. For adult persons in custody, Violence Prevention Programme services targeting at changing the violent behaviour of the participants are also in place at selected adult institutions. Gender-specific and systematic psychological treatment programmes are provided to female persons in custody in the PSYGYM – Personal Growth and Emotion Treatment Centre for Women to help them to develop a constructive lifestyle. To encourage family members' participation in the rehabilitation of young ​persons in custody, a variety of Inmate-Parent Programmes are also introduced.
Psychological services are also offered to address staff's psychological health and needs. A healthy and balanced lifestyle has been actively promoted since early 2010.
Education: Half-day compulsory education in general and practical subjects is provided for young persons in custody. The programmes enable them to improve their academic standards which help their future re-integration. They are encouraged to study for local and international public examinations. Tutorial groups and hobby classes conducted by volunteer tutors are also run in adult institutions, where persons in custody can enrol voluntarily. Persons in custody are also encouraged to participate in self-study courses or distance learning for tertiary education by making use of the resources and expertise of external accredited educational organisations.
Community Engagement: CSD reaches out to the community to seek public's engagement for offender rehabilitation. Among other partners, the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, composed of leaders and professionals from different walks of life, advises on rehabilitation strategies notably publicity programmes.
CSD Rehabilitation Volunteer Group (CSDRVG) organises activities to supplement services in meeting the needs of persons in custody. With more than 100 active volunteers, the Group conducted language courses, computer studies, cultural pursuits, etc., for persons in custody in various correctional institutions during the year.
Publicity activities have been ongoing since 1999, constituting a bridge between persons in custody and society. Through such activities as TV and Radio Announcements in the Public Interest, TV variety shows, TV documentary-drama series entitled "Knowing More About Hong Kong Correctional Services", "The Road Back I-V", Symposium on Employment for Rehabilitated Persons, certificate presentation ceremonies for persons in custody, NGO Forum, Thank you NGO week, joint community involvement activities with the District Fight Crime Committees, appointment of Rehabilitation Ambassador, and Award Presentation Ceremony for Volunteers of CSDRVG held over the years, the importance of collaborative efforts made by members of the community and NGOs to accept and help persons in custody rehabilitate is highlighted.
Rehabilitation Pioneer Project (RPP): The RPP covers a series of educational talks, visits, extended training camps and forums for youth. The talks provide basic information on Hong Kong's criminal justice system and CSD's custodial and rehabilitative services. The Personal Encounter with Prisoners Scheme complements other crime fighting tools, as young students visit correctional institutions and meet with persons in custody to share experiences and cautionary lessons. The Green Haven Scheme promotes anti-drug messages and the importance of environmental protection among young people. Participants meet with young persons in custody at addiction treatment centres on Hei Ling Chau, gaining insight into the detrimental effects of drug abuse. Visits to Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum foster participants' understanding of the development of correctional services, particularly the importance of public support for offender rehabilitation. The extended training camps for local secondary school students who have participated in RPP previously, aim to reinforce the messages of leading law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation through compact training programmes. The Student Forum is another crime prevention initiative under which rehabilitated offenders are arranged to address students and elaborate on the consequences of crime.
Religious Services: A full-time Chaplain co-ordinates the planning and provision of religious services. He is assisted by a number of volunteer Chaplains who visit and conduct services for persons in custody. Many volunteers and non-government organisations also provide a wide range of spiritual and social services in institutions.
Medical & Health Care in Institutions: All institutions have in-house hospitals and are staffed by qualified personnel. In collaboration with the Department of Health, round-the-clock basis primary health care are provided in all institutions. Persons in custody who need further treatment and investigations are referred to visiting specialists or public hospital for follow up.
Visiting Justices: Each institution is visited by two Justices of the Peace once every fortnight or monthly depending on its type. The Justices of the Peace carry out certain statutory duties such as investigating complaints made to them by persons in custody, inspecting diets and examining buildings and accommodation facilities. Visits are made at times and on days of their own choice within a prescribed period without prior notice.
Staff Training: The Staff Training Institute is responsible for planning and implementing training programmes to equip staff with relevant knowledge to fulfill the Vision, Mission and Values of the Department.
Newly-recruited Officers and Assistant Officers have to undergo 26-week and 23-week basic training respectively including field placement at correctional institutions. Development training courses such as refresher courses, specialist training courses and command courses are regularly conducted at the institute to foster staff's personal effectiveness and help their career development. Scenario training and situational analysis are emphasised in staff training.
To promote self-enhancement and life-long learning culture, CSD provides a wide variety of self-learning resources. A Knowledge Management System (KMS) has been established to strengthen e-learning since 2010.
Caring for all: Apart from performing their daily duties, staff of the CSD is encouraged to participate in various benevolent activities to extend their spirit of care to the community. These include deploying volunteers to help organisations for fund-raising activities, advising non-government organisations that provide services to rehabilitated offenders, etc.
In recognition of the department's continuing and total commitment in caring for the well-being of staff and their families, as well as the community as a whole, CSD was awarded the "5 Years Plus Caring Organisation Logo" since the year 2010/11 by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and was presented with the renowned "Total Caring Award" in the year 2007/08.
| Published by the Information Services Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk Information contained in this publication may be freely used. No acknowledgement is necessary. | Correctional Services Department Home Page address: http://www.csd.gov.hk | March 2015 |
This work is in the public domain because it is taken from the Hong Kong Fact Sheets published by the Hong Kong Government. The Government has allowed information on the Hong Kong Fact Sheets to be used freely and without acknowledgement.
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