Young Inmates Honored for Educational Achievements at Pik Uk Correctional Institution Ceremony

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results

​Young persons in custody (PICs) at Pik Uk Correctional Institution (PUCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (December 5) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 68 young PICs at PUCI sat various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the City and Guilds International examinations, the Cambridge English Examinations and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi, and obtained vocational certificates covering subjects such as Food and Beverage Services, Cantonese Cooking, Multimedia Design, Building Services, and Laundry Skill organised by the SideBySide, Christian Action, the Construction Industry Council, and the Vocational Training Council. During the year, the PICs attained nine merits out of 121 certificates obtained.In the ceremony today, 38 young PICs were presented with 77 certificates, of which eight merits were attained.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sik Sik Yuen (SSY), Mr Lai Chak-sum, said that SSY is fully supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD,and set up the Sik Sik Yuen - Care and Rehabilitation Education Fund in March 2023 with the aim of providing subsidies to needy PICs to pursue continuing education and vocational training. He encouraged PICs to unleash their potentials in different areas and actively equip themselves, with a view to leveraging their strengths to contribute to the community in the future.

During the ceremony, volunteer tutor and saxophonist Timothy Sun partnered with a band composed of PICs to stage a music performance, hoping to convey gratitude to their family members and correctional officers for their support in the course of rehabilitation.

In the sharing session, a young PIC expressed gratitude for his mother's unwavering support as well as the guidance and encouragement from correctional officers, which have helped him get back on his feet to not only study diligently and sit the HKDSE but also cultivate his interest in music composition. His mother also shared the happiness of witnessing the positive changes in her son, and appreciated correctional officers for walking hand in hand with her son on the path to rehabilitation, helping him turn over a new leaf.

Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.

PUCI has a capacity of 385 penal places for young male remand and sentenced PICs. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for young PICs to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CHP reminds public on precautions against cold weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (January 13) reminded the public, particularly the elderly and people with chronic illnesses, to adopt appropriate measures to protect their health in view of the cold weather.

A spokesman for the CHP said that cold weather can easily trigger or exacerbate diseases, especially among the elderly and persons suffering from heart disease, respiratory illnesses or other chronic illnesses.

"Elderly people have less insulating fat beneath their skin to keep them warm, and their body temperature control mechanisms may be weaker. Their body may not be able to appropriately respond to thecold weather," the spokesman said.

Some senior persons may have decreased mobility, which can impair their ability to generate and conserve body heat. Chronic illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes and endocrine disorders, may undermine the health of elderly people and lower their metabolic rate, subsequently causing their body to generate less heat. Persons with chronic illnesses, such as chronic respiratory illnesses or heart disease, are vulnerable to disease aggravation due to cold weather.

The CHP reminded the public, in particular the elderly and persons with chronic illnesses, to adopt the following preventive measures:

Take note of the weather forecast. Wear warm clothing, including hats, scarves, gloves and socks, accordingly;

Consume sufficient food to ensure adequate calorie intake;

Perform regular exercise to facilitate blood circulation and heat production;

Stay in a warm environment and avoid prolonged outdoor exposure;

Use heaters with care and maintain adequate indoor ventilation; and

Seek medical advice if feeling unwell.

​In addition, the public should avoid alcoholic beverages.

"Drinking alcohol cannot keep you warm. Alcohol accelerates the loss of body heat through dilated blood vessels, resulting in chilling instead," the spokesman said.

"Parents should ensure that babies are sufficiently warm, but it is also important to keep babies relatively lightly clothed to avoid overheating them," the spokesman added.

Parents should observe the following safety measures when putting their children to bed:

Keep the room well ventilated and at a comfortable temperature;

Always place babies on their backs to sleep. Leave their heads, faces and arms uncovered during sleep;

Babies do not need pillows. Place babies on a firm and well-fitted mattress to sleep. Avoid soft objects, pillows and loose bedding;

Let babies sleep in a cot placed near their parents' bed; and

Maintain a smoke-free environment.

In addition, many respiratory pathogens, including influenza and SARS-CoV-2, may have increasing activity and community transmission during winter. Seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged 6 months or above, except those with known contraindications. Persons at higher risk of getting influenza and its complications, including the elderly and children, should receive seasonal influenza vaccinations early. Please see details of the vaccination schemes on theCHP's website.

A person who gets influenza and COVID-19 at the same time may be more seriously ill and would have a higher risk of death. It is important for elderly persons, especially those residing in residential care homes, to receive both a seasonal influenza vaccination and a COVID-19 vaccination. They should also receive an additional booster against COVID-19 according to recommendations as soon as possible. The public should also maintain good personal and environmental hygiene against respiratory illnesses and note the following:

Surgical masks can prevent transmission of respiratory viruses from ill persons. It is essential for persons who are symptomatic (even if having mild symptoms) to wear a surgical mask;

Wear a surgical mask when taking public transport or staying in crowded places. It is important to wear a mask properly, including performing hand hygiene before wearing and after removing a mask;

Avoid touching one's eyes, mouth and nose;

Wash hands with liquid soap and water properly whenever possibly contaminated;

When hands are not visibly soiled, clean them with 70 to 80 per cent alcohol-based handrub;

Cover the mouth and nose with tissue paper when sneezing or coughing. Dispose of soiled tissue paper properly into a lidded rubbish bin and wash hands thoroughly afterwards;

Maintain good indoor ventilation;

When having respiratory symptoms, wear a surgical mask, refrain from work or attending classes at school, avoid going to crowded places and seek medical advice promptly; and

Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, take adequate rest, do not smoke and avoid overstress.

Food-borne diseases, particularly those linked to hotpot cuisine, are also common in cold weather. The following preventive measures should be taken:

Wash hands before handling and consuming food;

Do not patronise unlicensed vendors or those with poor hygienic standards while selecting food;

Wash and cook all food thoroughly;

Vegetables should be washed thoroughly in clean running water before cooking and consumption. When appropriate, scrub vegetables with hard surfaces with a clean brush to remove dirt and substances, including pesticide residues and contaminants, from surfaces and crevices;

Shrimps should be fully cooked until the shells turn red and the flesh turns white and opaque;

For shellfish such as scallops and geoduck, scrub the shells thoroughly and remove internal organs;

Do not eat any undercooked freshwater aquatic products. To ensure that the food is thoroughly cooked, the centre of the food should reach a temperature of at least 75 degrees Celsius so as to destroy pathogen;

Most hotpot ingredients should be stored in a refrigerator at 4 degrees C or below, while frozen food should be stored in a freezer at -18 degrees C or below;

Never use raw eggs as a dipping sauce for hotpot; and

Use different sets of chopsticks to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

​In addition, when using fuel-burning appliances, especially in indoor areas, the public should ensure adequate ventilation to avoid harmful exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and prevent CO poisoning.

For more health information, the public may call the DH's Health Education Infoline (2833 0111) or visit theCHP's websiteandFacebook Fanpage.

The public may also call Dial-a-Weather (1878 200) or visit thewebsite of the Hong Kong Observatoryfor the latest weather information and forecasts, or itspage on Weather Information for Senior Citizens.