Correctional Services
Over the years Hong Kong has developed an internationally
Tong Fuk Correctional Institution, Hei Ling Chau
acclaimed correctional system, which places increasing
Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional
emphasis on correction, rehabilitation of persons in custody,
Institution are medium-security prisons.
as well as community education. The Correctional Services
The three minimum-security prisons are Tung Tau
Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of
Correctional Institution, Pik Uk Prison and Tai Lam
rehabilitation programmes targeting different types of
Correctional Institution. Elderly persons in custody of low
persons in custody such as young offenders, drug
security risk, generally aged over 65, are housed at Tai Lam
dependants, first-time offenders and recidivists.
Correctional Institution.
With an establishment of 6 932 staff, CSD manages 28
correctional facilities comprising correctional institutions,
Young Male Persons in Custody: Pik Uk Correctional
half-way houses and custodial wards of public hospitals. The
Institution, a maximum-security institution, houses remand
correctional institutions include minimum, medium and
and convicted young persons in custody. Cape Collinson
maximum security prisons, a psychiatric centre and training,
Correctional Institution is a training centre for those aged
detention, rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment centres.
between 14 and under 21. Those committed to training
Apart from 23 correctional institutions, there are three half-
centres receive a period of training from six months to three
way houses and two custodial wards, which altogether
years. Release is followed by a three-year compulsory
accommodate about 8 400 persons. CSD also provides
supervision. The above young persons in custody have to
statutory supervision with around 1 700 persons under active
participate in a programme based on half-day education and
supervision at the end of 2017.
half-day vocational training.
For the health of persons in custody, CSD actively
Sha Tsui Correctional Institution, a minimum-security
supports the Government’s anti-smoking policy and
institution for detention centre detainees, emphasises strict
promotes a no smoking culture among persons in custody
discipline, hard work and counselling. Detention varies from
through various anti-smoking measures including education,
one to six months for offenders aged between 14 and under
propaganda, counseling and smoking cessation courses. In
21, and three to 12 months for those aged between 21 and
addition to assigning Tung Tau Correctional Institution as the
under 25. There is a 12-month supervision following release.
first "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on 1 January 2013,
Lai Chi and Lai Hang Rehabilitation Centres house
CSD assigned Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution as the
young male persons in custody for an aggregate period of
second ―No Smoking Correctional Facility‖ on 1 December
three to nine months. The rehabilitation centre programme,
2014 to accommodate adult persons in custody who do not
focuses on reformation of young offenders, who are subject
smoke.
to one year’s supervision after release.
For conservation of resources and minimise pollution,
CSD emphasises environmental protection and reducing of
Adult Female Persons in Custody: There are two
food waste in penal institutions. In 2013 and 2014, CSD has
correctional institutions for female adults. Tai Lam Centre
implemented the ―Waste No Food Scheme‖ in Lo Wu
for Women is a maximum-security institution functioning as
Correctional Institution (LWCI) and later in Tai Lam Centre
a remand centre and a prison for adult women. Lo Wu
for Women, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and the Elderly
Correctional Institution is the newest institution for female
Unit of Tai Lam Correctional Institution to promote the culture
adults, with one minimum-security wing and two medium-
of reducing waste and cherishing food for the support of
security wings.
environmental protection. Apart from reducing leftovers and
food waste, LWCI, Stanley Prison and TLCW have also
Young Female Persons in Custody: Lai King Correctional
installed food waste decomposing systems to convert food
Institution, a minimum-security institution, operates as a
waste into useful organic fertilizers in 2013, 2015 and 2017
reception centre, training centre, drug addiction treatment
respectively.
centre and prison for young persons in custody aged
Adult Male Persons in Custody: CSD operates 9
between 14 and under 21. Chi Lan and Wai Lan
correctional institutions for male adults. Lai Chi Kok
Rehabilitation Centres accommodate young female persons
Reception Centre accommodates persons awaiting trial and
in custody under the rehabilitation centre programme.
newly-convicted
persons
pending
classification
and
Drug Addiction Treatment: CSD runs a compulsory
allocation to other institutions.
treatment programme for convicted drug addicts. It provides
Stanley Prison, the largest maximum-security prison,
the courts with an alternative to imprisonment. Hei Ling Chau
houses persons serving life or long-term sentences. Another
Addiction Treatment Centre accommodates adult male drug
maximum-security prison, Shek Pik Prison, houses those
abusers
while
Lai
Sun
Correctional
Institution
serving medium to long-term sentences including life
accommodates both adult and young drug abusers. Adult
imprisonment.
and young females are accommodated at Nei Kwu
such as the Release Under Supervision Scheme (RUSS),
Correctional Institution and Lai King Correctional Institution
Pre-release Employment Scheme (PRES), Post-release
respectively.
An
inmate
undergoes
the
treatment
Supervision of Prisoners Scheme (PRSS), Conditional
programme for two to 12 months, which is based on
Release Scheme (CRS) and Supervision After Release
discipline and open-air physical activities including work
Scheme (SARS). Supervising officers work closely with the
programmes and therapy, and is supported by one-year
persons in custody and their families to help foster good
post release statutory supervision.
relationship between them and prepare them to face
possible challenges and demands upon their return to the
Psychiatric
assessment
and
treatment:
Siu Lam
community. Regular contacts are maintained with every
Psychiatric Centre provides psychiatric treatment for the
person in custody. Close supervision continues after
criminally insane, dangerous and violent persons in custody.
discharge through frequent visits to supervisees’ home or
Persons sentenced under the Mental Health Ordinance and
place of work throughout the supervision period.
those requiring psychiatric assessment or treatment are
CSD runs three half-way houses — Phoenix House in
accommodated
in
the
Psychiatric
Centre.
Visiting
Lung Yan Road for young supervisees released from
psychiatrists of Hospital Authority also provide psychiatric
detention, training and drug addiction treatment centres;
assessments for the courts. Males and females are located
Pelican House which is annexed to Phoenix House for
at separate sections therein.
persons in custody released under the RUSS, PRES and
CRS as well as adults from drug addiction treatment
Industries and Vocational Training: CSD keeps
centres and supervisees released under the PRSS with
convicted persons purposely and gainfully occupied for
accommodation needs; and Bauhinia House in Tai Lam
maintaining prison stability. In the pursuit of rehabilitation for
Chung for female persons released under the RUSS, PRES
offenders, the Industries and Vocational Training Section
and CRS and female supervisees released from training
helps the persons in custody reintegrate into society
and drug addiction treatment centres.
through acquisition of skills in industrial work and by
Success rates mean the percentage of supervisees who
providing vocational training to enhance their employability.
complete the statutory supervision without reconviction. For
In 2017, a daily average of 4 529 persons in custody
supervisees from drug addiction treatment centre, they must
were engaged in industrial work to provide a wide range of
also remain drug free. In 2017, the success rates were:
goods and services for the public sector in a cost effective
detention centre (94 per cent), training centres (78 per cent),
manner. Examples are office furniture, staff uniforms,
drug addiction treatment centres (53 per cent), rehabilitation
hospital linen, filter masks, fiberglass products, traffic signs,
centres (94 per cent), young persons in custody under Prison
metal railings, slabs and kerbs for infrastructure projects.
Programme (97 per cent), RUSS (100 per cent), PRES (100
Persons in custody also provide laundry services for the
per cent), SARS (100 per cent), CRS (no cases) and PRSS
Hospital Authority, Department of Health and Fire Services
(90 per cent). Altogether, 1 277 males and 243 females
Department. They laminate books for public libraries and
completed statutory supervision in 2017 whereas 1 392
local universities, undertake printing work and make file
males and 331 females were under active supervision as at
jackets and envelopes for government departments.
end of 2017.
A series of diversified and market-oriented vocational
training programmes with recognised accreditation are
Welfare and Counselling Services: Rehabilitation Officers
organised for both young and adult persons in custody to
look after the welfare of persons in custody by providing
strengthen their capability for future employment and
assistance and guidance to help them solve their personal
enhance reintegration.
problems and cope with difficulties arising from detention.
For young persons in custody, CSD provides half-day
The officers also organise programmes such as Sentence
compulsory technical, commercial and service industry
Planning Scheme to encourage persons in custody serving
training. Equal importance is placed on theoretical and
long-term sentences to spend their time purposefully and the
practical aspects of the curriculum which prepare them for
Pre-release Re-integration Orientation Courses to prepare
further training after release.
them for release.
For adult persons in custody, CSD provides pre-
To further improve rehabilitation porgrammes for
release vocational training courses on a full-time and part-
persons in custody through community involvement, CSD
time voluntary basis in various adult institutions. Convicted
officers work closely with over 80 non-government
adult persons in custody engaged in industrial production
organisations (NGOs) to co-ordinate a variety of activities
are trained to acquire necessary skills. Where appropriate,
ranging from counselling services and religious sacraments
CSD helps them obtain skill accreditation by enrolling
to large-scale cultural ventures and recreational projects in
them in relevant Intermediate Trade Tests conducted by
correctional institutions.
vocational training organisations, or applying through the
Recognition of Prior Learning Scheme under the Hong
Psychological Services: Psychological programmes are
Kong Qualifications Framework.
provided for persons in custody to improve their
psychological well-being and help change their offending
Statutory Supervision: To ensure continuous care and
behaviour. Psychological assessments are provided for the
guidance, statutory supervision is provided for young
courts, review boards and institution management to
persons in custody; persons released from training,
facilitate their decision making and management of persons
detention, rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment
in custody. Therapeutic programmes for persons in custody
centres; and those released under various schemes
include Offending Behaviour Programme for young persons
in custody which targets criminogenic factors related to
and NGOs to accept and help persons in custody
offending. Drug Abuse Rehabilitation Programme for drug
rehabilitate is highlighted.
abusers in drug addiction treatment centres and Violence
Prevention Programme targeting at changing the violent
Rehabilitation Pioneer Project (RPP): The RPP includes a
offending behavior of adult persons in custody. Sex
series of community education activities such as Education
offenders are scheduled to receive systematic treatment
Talks, Personal Encounter with Prisoners Scheme, Green
programmes in the Sex Offenders Evaluation and Treatment
Haven Scheme, Visits to Hong Kong Correctional Services
Unit (ETU) aiming at changing their offending behaviour.
Museum, Extended Training Camp, Student Forum, Drama
Gender-specific and systematic psychological treatment
and Music Performance of ―Creation and Rehabilitation‖ and
programmes are provided to female persons in custody in
the Reflective Path and Summer Camp to disseminate to
the PSYGYM – Personal Growth and Emotion Treatment
the public the messages of leading a law-abiding and drug-
Centre for Women to help them to develop a constructive
free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. The
lifestyle. To encourage family members’ participation in the
Education Talks provide basic information on Hong Kong’s
rehabilitation of young persons in custody, an enhanced
criminal justice system and CSD’s custodial and
Inmate-Parent Programme – ―Heart Start― was introduced in
rehabilitative programmes. The Personal Encounter with
late 2015 to further address the latest needs of young
Prisoners Scheme instills anti- crime awareness by arranging
offenders in nowadays families.
young students to visit correctional institutions and meet with
Psychological services are also offered to staff and their
persons in custody for experience sharing. The Green Haven
family members, provding mental health promotion,
Scheme promotes anti-drug messages and the importance
psychological intervention and stress management training
of
environmental
protection
among
young
people.
etc. A healthy and balanced lifestyle has been actively
Participants meet with young persons in custody at
promoted by the Department since 2010.
treatment centres on Hei Ling Chau, gaining insight into the
detrimental effects of drug abuse. Visits to Hong Kong
Education: Half-day compulsory education in general and
Correctional
Services
Museum
foster
participants’
practical subjects is provided for young persons in custody.
understanding of the development of correctional services,
The programmes enable them to improve their academic
particularly the importance of public support for offender
standards which help their future re-integration. They are
rehabilitation. The Student Forum is another community
encouraged to study for local and international accredited
education
programme
which
stimulates
students’
public examinations. Tutorial groups and hobby classes
introspection and participation through an interactive
conducted by volunteer tutors are also run in adult
platform and a sharing session by a rehabilitated person.
institutions, where persons in custody can enrol voluntarily.
The Extended Training Camp, which lasts for three days and
Persons in custody are also encouraged to participate in
two nights, features a series of discipline training activities
self- study courses or distance learning for tertiary education
aiming at enhancing participants’ confidence and developing
by making use of the resources and expertise of external
their positive values. The Drama and Music Performance of
accredited educational organisations.
Creation and Rehabilitation‖ enables students to enjoy
drama and music performances presented by persons in
Community Engagement: CSD reaches out to the
custody to warn the students against committing crimes
community to seek public’s engagement for offender
and remind them the importance of obeying the law. The
rehabilitation. Among other partners, the Committee on
Reflective Path aims at enhancing students’ understanding
Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders, composed
of the criminal judicial system and correctional services, as
of leaders and professionals from different walks of life,
well as the heavy cost for committing crimes through the
advises on rehabilitation strategies notably publicity
simulation of imprisonment. Different competitions targeting
programmes.
on the youth are organised by CSD every year to
CSD Rehabilitation Volunteer Group (CSDRVG)
disseminate the messages of leading a law-abiding and
organises activities to supplement services in meeting the
drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation.
needs of persons in custody. With more than 100 active
Prize winners of the competitions will be arranged to join a
volunteers, the Group conducted language courses,
Mainland tour. Participants will attend adventure-based
computer studies, cultural pursuits, etc., for persons in
training and visits to schools and families in rural areas, an
custody in various correctional institutions during the year.
eco-friendly factory of a global enterprise as well as large-
Publicity activities have been ongoing since 1999,
scale infrastructure, so as to provide them with an all-round
constituting a bridge between persons in custody and
learning experience conducive to their whole-person
society. Through such activities as TV and Radio
development, and to foster the development of positive
Announcements in the Public Interest, TV variety shows,
values and attitudes.
TV
documentary-drama
series,
Symposiums
on
Employment for Rehabilitated Offenders, Job Fair for
Religious Services: A full-time Chaplain co-ordinates the
Rehabilitated Offenders, certificate presentation
planning and provision of religious services. He is assisted
ceremonies for persons in custody, NGO Forum, Thank you
by a number of volunteer Chaplains who visit and conduct
NGO activities, joint community involvement activities
services for persons in custody. Many volunteers and non-
with the District Fight Crime Committees, and Award
government organisations of other religions also provide a
Presentation Ceremony for Volunteers of CSDRVG held
wide range of spiritual and social services in institutions.
over the years, the importance of collaborative efforts
made by members of the community
Medical & Health Care in Institutions: All institutions have
on-premises hospitals and are staffed by qualified healthcare
Caring for all: Apart from performing their daily duties, CSD
personnel. In collaboration with the Medical Officers from the
staff is encouraged to extend their spirit of caring for
Department of Health, round-the-clock basic health care
community by participating in various charitable activities such
services are provided in all institutions. Persons in custody
as voluntary work for fund-raising activities and offering
who need further treatment and investigations are referred to
advices to non-government organisations that provide services
visiting specialists or public hospital for follow up.
to rehabilitated offenders, etc.
In recognition of the department's continuing and total
Visiting Justices: Two visiting Justices of the Peace visit
commitment in caring for the well-being of staff. Their families
each penal institution fortnightly or monthly, depending on
and the community as a whole, CSD was awarded the ―10
the type of facility.The Justices of the Peace carry out
Years Plus Caring Organisation Logo‖ again in the year
relevant statutory duties such as investigating complaints
2016/17 by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, having
made to them by persons in custody, inspecting diets and
also been presented with the renowned "Total Caring Award"
examining buildings and accommodation facilities. Visits
in the year 2007/08.
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.
The Staff Training Institute (STI) organizes and delivers
various training programmes. Newly-recruited Officers and
Assistant Officers II have to undergo 26-week and 23-week
recruit training respectively with operational knowledge of
CSD, virtual reality training, scenario training at training site,
tactical training and field placement at correctional
institutions. Professional development training courses such
as
refresher
courses,
job-related
training
courses,
Annual Review 2017
Annual Review Video clip
professional management training and command training
courses are regularly conducted at the institute to help foster
individual work efficacy and their career development. STI
continues to strengthen collaboration with external training
partners, including local and overseas tertiary institutions,
Mainland and overseas training organisations. It as well as
appoints relevant professionals and members of the
academia as Honorary Advisors.
To further enhance the culture of continuing education
and life-long learning of CSD, the department has developed
and established a Knowledge Management System in 2010,
a one-stop online platform for learning, experience sharing
and knowledge succession, in order to maximize staff
learning effectiveness with the use of learning technologies.
In 2017, CSD became the only organisation in Hong Kong to
win the Asian Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise Award for
its knowledge management, after capturing the Hong Kong
title earlier.
No acknowledgement is necessary.
Published by the Information Services Department,
Correctional Services
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Department Home Page
GovHK Website: http://www.gov.hk
Home Page address:
Information contained in this publication may be freely used.
http://www.csd.gov.hk
July 2018
