Opening remarks by Commissioner Kwok Leung-ming in the Annual Press Conference

Welcome to CSD’s Annual Press Conference and thank you for supporting CSD’s activities.

I would like to focus on developments in the CSD, our efforts over the previous year, and our continued improvements and plans for the future in serving Hong Kong and its people.

Four Critical Success Factors
Significant steps were taken in 2007 towards achieving our goal of building a safer, more inclusive society in Hong Kong. The Department identified four critical success factors for achieving this goal: the quality of our custodial services, comprehensive services for offender rehabilitation, the responsiveness of offenders to these services and their dedication to reform, and community support for the rehabilitation of offenders.

While the first two factors are under CSD’s control, the other two are affected by many interrelated and complicated personal, social and economic issues. Nevertheless, CSD will work towards our goal by further improving its custodial and rehabilitative services as well as offenders’ determination and community involvement.

Prison Development Plan
CSD’s Prison Development Plan aims at alleviating prison overcrowding and meeting the demand for decent, modern prison facilities. In April 2007, work started on the Lo Wu Correctional Institution redevelopment project. This will convert the old site into three institutions with a total capacity of 1 400 penal places. Construction is expected to complete by the end of 2009, and the three new institutions will begin to take prisoners in early 2010. Though this will greatly relieve overpopulation in Hong Kong’s prisons, we will continue redeveloping old institutions. As some of you went to Chi Ma Wan at this time last year, you must have noticed that the two institutions there are non-purpose built with aging facilities beyond economical repair, and short of space for classrooms and other necessary rehabilitation facilities. We are therefore planning to redevelop the two institutions at Chi Ma Wan.

Structural reorganisation
CSD is also re-grouping penal facilities, which will improve rehabilitation facilities for young offenders and also allow us to maximise our human and financial resources. Based on results of a study which analysed how to optimise use of penal facilities, a decision was taken to swap Lai King Training Centre with Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution. This project will alleviate overcrowding in institutions for young female offenders, and also enhance the deployment of resources in training centres for male offenders. The first stage of the project which started last year has been completed, and the whole project will be complete by the end of 2008.

Rehabilitation Division Anniversary
The CSD’s Rehabilitation Division celebrates its 10th Anniversary this month. Over the past ten years, the Rehabilitation Division has worked tirelessly to promote offender rehabilitation and crime prevention. It has helped many offenders return to the community as law abiding citizens, and has also helped enhance community acceptance of rehabilitated offenders. This work has been essential to the goals of the CSD as a whole. To mark the anniversary, and further promote public acceptance of and support for offender rehabilitation, a series of publicity events started towards the end of 2007.

Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol
Looking to the future, the CSD implemented a new phase of its Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders in 2007. Rehabilitative programme matching will lower the risk of inmates re-offending after release, and will also help the CSD to better meet the rehabilitative needs of offenders.

Quality Assurance
We have strived to eradicate illicit activities inside penal institutions, notably crackdown on gambling among prisoners and interception of drugs. In order to uplift our service quality, we have initiated enhancements to the inspection mechanism with an internal e-platform for sharing experience and delivery of training to institutions.

Recruitment and Staff Matters
Maintaining a highly committed and motivated workforce is essential to the work of the Department. Approval was given to recruit 374 staff members during the 2007-2008 financial year including 266 Assistant Officers II and 86 Officers.

At the end of 2007, the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service launched a grade structure review for disciplined services grades. This review will assess work nature, job duties, responsibilities and workload. We will give full assistance to the Committee as it conducts the review.

Regional Cooperation
Close cooperation with other penal authorities in the region is important for the mutual development of prison operations, allowing ideas to be shared and optimising the quality of services. In October 2007, a four-day “Beijing/Guangdong/Hong Kong Prison Forum” was held in Hong Kong for prison administrators from Beijing, Guangdong and Hong Kong to exchange views on vocational training and work for prisoners. Singapore and Macau prison officials also joined the Forum as observers. In March 2008, CSD will host a “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Sports Meet for Correctional Officers”. The event will strengthen cooperation and promote healthy lifestyle among frontline staff in the region.

Closing Remarks
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues, the CSD has addressed many of the issues identified in our critical success factors this year. I am confident that 2008 will see further success for the Department, as we strive to make Hong Kong a safer place for all.

Last but not least, I wish you all a prosperous, healthy and happy new year. I am confident that when we meet in a year’s time, there will be much positive development to cover and many accomplishments, as well as new challenges, to discuss.

Thank you all for coming. 

Thursday, January 17, 2008