History - 1950's to 1970's

History

A Chronology of CSD's Development and Penal Measures of Hong Kong

1950's to 1990's

Early History | 1950's to 1990's | 2000's to NOW

Year		Event
1953	Mar 6	After the transfer of the management of reformatory school to the Social Welfare Office, the Stanley Training Centre took over the Stanley Reformatory Institution to become the first Training Centre. Statutory aftercare services were established, and the Training Centre Band (Drums and Bugles) was soon formed
	May 1	The Earnings Scheme came into effect to replace gratuities paid on discharge, providing a useful incentive to production. Prior to this, remission earned carried with it a gratuity at the rate of 6 cents a day
1955/56		Open visits were introduced at Stanley and Lai Chi Kok Prisons. All visits were previously held in cage-like structures at the main gate. Prisoners had to shout to their visitors through a double wire mesh, with a warder patrolling in between
1956		The first open prison was established at Chi Ma Wan
1958		The first Staff Training School was established
		Voluntary supervision of prisoners with drug experience was introduced for prisoners discharged from Tai Lam Prison
1960/61		The carrying of firearms by staff on duty ceased
1966	Nov 16	Capital punishment was suspended following the last execution
1968	Aug 1	New Life House, the first half-way house for the rehabilitation of ex-drug inmates, was opened
1969	Jan 17	The Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance was enacted, with Tai Lam Drug Addiction Treatment Centre became operational
1971	Jan	A permanent numbering system for penal admissions was introduced
1972	Mar 16	The Detention Centre Ordinance was enacted. Sha Tsui Detention Centre came into operation on 16.6.1972
1972	Nov 27	Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre was opened to cater for prisoners with psychiatric problems
1973	Apr	Disturbance erupted in Stanley Prison
1974		Caning of Training Centre inmates for offences against discipline was introduced
1975	Jan	Prisoners' welfare services were introduced
1976	Jul	Psychological services were first introduced
1978	Jan 20	The Department entered the field of Vietnamese refugee care in Kai Tak Camp
1979	Mar	The Complaints Investigation Unit was established
1980	Feb 25-29	The Department hosted the first Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators
1980	May 1	Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution for young female offenders was opened (A marching display team was also formed during the same year)
1981		The sanction of dietary and corporal punishments were removed from Prison Rules
1982	Feb 1	"Prisons Department" was renamed as "Correctional Services Department" to reflect the expanding programme of activities and emphasis on offenders' rehabilitation.
1983	Jul 5	Phoenix House, the first half-way house for young offenders, was opened
1984	Aug	Bauhinia House, the first half-way house specially for female offenders was opened
1985	Mar 18-22	The first Meeting of Commonwealth Correctional Administrators was convened in Hong Kong
1986		The Hong Kong Examination Authority recognized inmates from Pik Uk Correctional Institution as "school candidates" to participate in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination within the prison
1986	Jul	The Department was licensed as an Operating Authority of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme to organize activities for training centre inmates
	Jul 5	The 221st Hong Kong Group was inaugurated to provide Training Centre inmates with scout activities (The 141st Island Ranger Guides Service Unit was formed later in April, 1987 to provide female training centre inmates with girl guide activities)
1988	Feb 1	The Council of European Convention on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was extended to Hong Kong
	Jul	The Release under Supervision Scheme and Pre-release Employment Scheme, the first parole schemes for prisoners, came into operation
1989	Dec 12	The first exercise on mandatory repatriation of Vietnamese boat people was conducted
1990	Nov 1	Corporal Punishment was repealed
1995	Feb 8	Pelican House, the first half-way house solely for adult offenders, was officially opened
1995	Oct 18	The half-way house programme was extended to young drug offenders
1996	Nov 30	The Post-Release Supervision of Prisoners Scheme, a compulsory supervision scheme for adult prisoners, came into operation
1997	Jun 30	The Long-term Prison Sentences Review Ordinance became operational. The object is to establish a statutory Board to review indeterminate and long-term prison sentences, the detention of persons detained at Executive discretion, sentences of juvenile prisoners and indeterminate and long-term prison sentences of transferred prisoners
1997	Jul 1	A new departmental crest with a compass at its centre to signify the Department's clear objectives and direction was adopted
1998	Jan 14	A new Rehabilitation Division, headed by Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation), was set up to focus on rehabilitation services for prisoners and inmates
1998	Mar 6	The Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Ordinance 1998 came into operation. It allows prisoners who committed murder when they were under 18 years of age and are now serving life sentences to have their cases reviewed by the Chief Justice so that minimum terms of imprisonment can be given to them by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Chief Justice.
1998	May 26	The last detention centre for Vietnamese Migrants - High Island Detention Centre - was closed.
1998	Jul 1	Three Senior Staff were awarded the Hong Kong Correctional Services Medal for Distinguished Service (C.S.D.S.M.) by the Chief Executive subsequent to the introduction of a new honours and awards system for the disciplined services.
1998	Sep 28	The Sex Offenders Evaluation and Treatment Unit located at Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre came into operation. This Unit provides comprehensive psychological services including thorough assessment and specialized treatment to eligible sex offenders.
1999	Mar 3	The first Inmates-Parents Centre was opened at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution.
1999	March	"Society's Guardians" - the first book about the history of Hong Kong Correctional Services (from 1841 to 1999) was published.
1999	April	A Green Manager's Committee, headed by Civil Secretary, was set up to implement the Department's environmental statement.
1999	June 22	A brand new kennel complex of the Dog Unit at Hei Ling Chau came into operation.
1999	Sept 27	Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution - the first new prison purpose-built in the last 15 years, came into operation and was officially opened on 21 October 1999.
1999	Oct	A new service emblem symbolizing the role and objective of the Correctional Services Department has been adopted. The design of the emblem centres on the motto "We Care 管教關懷助更生" which speaks for team work and our ultimate goal of rehabilitating offenders through the process of custody and care.
1999	Oct	The Department launched a major publicity campaign, with the aim of encouraging the community to give rehabilitated offenders a second chance on life. This campaign will last for over six months and include the following: Public television advertisement and meaningful short film; "Round-the-Territory" Exhibitions; Production of a music CD entitled "Return of the Prodigal Son" comprising songs composed and performed by prisoners; The setting up of a "Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders advising the Department on the strategies and programmes for re-integration of offenders into the community and promote community support through education, publicity and public involvement; and A musical variety show named "Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders" on TV.
1999	Dec	The Sign Making Business of the Correctional Services Industries was awarded the Certificate of ISO 9002 by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency.

Early History | 1950's to 1990's | 2000's to NOW