NCJ Number
235558
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 35 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 2010 Pages: 40-42
Date Published
2010
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article describes Hong Kong's correctional system and philosophy, rehabilitation and reintegration services, and ways it gains public support.
Abstract
The prison administration has been under the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) by the People's Republic of China since July 1, 1997. As a result of an agreement signed by China and the United Kingdom on December 19, 1984, China's socialist economic system cannot be imposed on Hong Kong, and the region will be generally autonomous in all matters except foreign and defense until 2047. The prison administration is named the Corrections Services Department (CSD). The CSD managed an inmate population of 10,137 as of June 30, 2010. As of that date, the CSD operated 25 facilities, including 15 prisons, 3 drug treatment centers, 1 training center, 1 detention center, 4 rehabilitation centers, and 1 psychiatric center. The system operated at 89 percent of capacity. Since 1982, the CSD has undergone major philosophical transformation, including changing from the traditional custodial service to a program of inmate rehabilitation. The CSD refers to all inmates being released as rehabilitated offenders. Welfare and counseling services are provided to offenders as soon as they are admitted to a correctional institution. A series of prerelease reintegration-orientation courses assess local inmates due for discharge. CSD provides rehabilitation programs that include discipline training, psychological counseling, work, education, vocational training, and postrelease supervision. In order to facilitate interagency collaboration and community engagement for offenders' reintegration, CSD has adopted a three-pronged approach: public education, publicity, and community support. Efforts at gaining public support for offender reintegration encompass the work of government-related bodies, activities of nongovernment social services and religious organizations, efforts of educational and youth organizations, the work of merchant and trade associations and private companies, and the use of the mass media. 2 references