Young PICs at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution Honored for Academic and Vocational Achievements at Ceremony

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results

Young persons in custody (PICs) at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 97 young PICs at STCI enrolled in distance learning courses offered by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, or sat for various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the Cambridge English Examinations and Caritas Institute of Community Education examinations, as well as examinations organised by SideBySide, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council. The subjects covered food and beverage services, coffee shop operations, Western pastry and dessert making, Cantonese cooking, multimedia design and building services. During the year, the young PICs attained 48 merits out of 367 certificates. In the ceremony today, 24 young PICs were presented with 141 certificates, of which 17 were marked with merits.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association (CSRA), Dr Cook Chiu, said that the CSRA is supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and set up the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association - Perseverance Education Fund with the aim of providing financial assistance for PICs in need to pursue education and vocational training. He encouraged PICs, adding that as long as they face difficulties with courage, they will eventually fulfil their dreams.

Young PICs staged various performances, namely a lion dance, a Chinese drum performance, a band show and a singing performance at the ceremony to demonstrate their learning outcomes to attendees, and to express their aspirations for a better future.

In the sharing session, a young PIC shared his experiences during rehabilitation, and expressed gratitude for his family's unwavering support and for encouragement from correctional officers, which helped him get back on the right track. He aspired to actively equip himself with a view to preparing for reintegration into society.

STCI accommodates young male PICs aged from 14 to under 25. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs of training centres and rehabilitation centres to assist them in rehabilitating and preparing for reintegration into society.

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a young person in custody expressing gratitude to his father for his unwavering support. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a band composed of young persons in custody delivering a music performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a Chinese drum performance by young persons in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a lion dance performance by young persons in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association, Dr Cook Chiu (left), presenting a certificate to a young person in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government concludes second-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units

Today (April 21) is the second day of phased arrangements for residents of seven blocks of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po to return to their units. Ten middle-zone floors of Wang Sun House were opened. The access arrangements were carried out in an orderly manner and operated smoothly.

A total of 77 households (271 people) registered to return to their units today through the "one social worker per household" service, while 78 households (275 people) actually turned up (one household reported sick and absent yesterday joined the arrangement today). The average time residents spent entering and leaving the building today was one hour and 48 minutes, with the shortest time being 21 minutes and the longest three hours and 25 minutes. About 13 per cent of the residents stayed in the building for less than one hour. A total of 14 households (34 people) went up and down the building more than once within three hours. Among them, eight households (23 people) made one additional trip, four households (eight people) made two additional trips, while one household (one person) made four additional trips, with the highest record of one person of one household making five additional trips and another making four additional trips.

The integrated enquiry counter set up by relevant departments today received 11 cases of requesting police assistance and two cases involving residents seeking help due to physical discomfort, as well as two cases seeking psychological counselling services.

The 11 cases of requesting police assistance involved suspected loss of property, including camera, jewellery and gold items. Officers were immediately deployed to assist in searches, and lost property was recovered in four cases. In another four, the units concerned were severely damaged and residents believed after investigation that the property might have been destroyed by fire. For the remaining three cases, there were no signs of ransacking in the units and the residents could not provide details on the concerned property.

After reviewing the experience from the first day of arrangements, two adjustments have been made on site starting today:

(1) expanding the personal protective equipment donning area at Kwong Fuk Community Hall, adding more tables and chairs, and setting up more marquees for rain protection; and

(2) adding more tables and chairs in the resident waiting area at Tai Po Baptist Public School, and expanding the on-site storage area to facilitate residents while they wait for transport.

Each day, the Government deploys over 1 000 personnel from various departments, including the Police, the Civil Aid Service, the Fire Services Department, the Auxiliary Medical Service, the Home Affairs Department, the Social Welfare Department, the Housing Department, and the Housing Bureau, and staff mobilised from other departments, as well as District Services and Community Care Teams members to fully support residents returning to their units.

Government concludes second-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government concludes second-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government concludes second-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government concludes second-day arrangements for Wang Fuk Court residents returning to their units Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases