PIC committing sex offences are referred from other correctional institutions to ETU to participate in the SOOP. Clinical psychologists will assess the re-offending risk of individual PIC and formulate suitable treatment plans accordingly. Group activities will be organised to enhance their motivation for treatment.
Upon completion of the SOOP, PIC assessed to be of low re-offending risk will return to their respective institutions. Those of moderate to high risk of re-offending will be assigned to either MIP or HIP, in accordance with their risk and need levels.
Figure 1. Programme matching is based on the risk and need levels of PIC
Treatment primarily takes the form of group therapy and supplements with individual treatment. Participants are also required to complete a set of treatment manuals specially designed for PIC committing sex offences. Treatment mainly includes the following seven modules:
Figure 2. Treatment covers seven major modules
ETU is a therapeutic community that encourages mutual care and support so as to facilitate positive changes among its participants. The latter attend group treatment, live and work together in ETU. To prepare for their re-integration into society, the therapeutic community provides participants with opportunities to practise and consolidate what they have learned, such as mood management and relationship skills. To achieve the above, front-line correctional staff work to foster the therapeutic milieu of the community and encourage participants' skill practice in daily prison life.
Treatment programme not only aims at rectifying the participants' emotional and psychological problems, but also enhancing their strengths. For example, the development of healthy sexuality is emphasised in addition to the treatment of sexual deviance. To facilitate the development of positive life, group activities with themes based on the notion of Positive Psychology, such as gratitude and appreciation, are organised regularly to cultivate positive thinking and emotions.
Accurate risks and needs assessment is essential to the formulation of rehabilitation plans for PIC. With the funding from Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, clinical psychologists have collaborated with The Chinese University of Hong Kong to develop a full set of localised assessment tools applicable to the assessment of the re-offending risk and treatment needs of PIC committing sex offences in Hong Kong. Clinical psychologists will continue the research work to enhance the quality of the local assessment tools.
CSD is honoured to have invited Mr. Robert J. McGrath, Former Clinical Director of Vermont Treatment Programme for Sexual Abusers of the United States, as the advisor of ETU to provide invaluable and professional suggestions for the treatment programmes.
The Department has invited local and international experts to form a Treatment Advisory Panel for periodic service review, so as to benchmark with international standards. Panel members of the service review in 2013 included:
Dr. William L. Marshall,
Former Director of
Rockwood Psychological Services,
Canada
Prof. Fanny M. C. Cheung, OBE, JP,
Pro-Vice-Chancellor,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Mr. Robert J. McGrath,
Former Clinical Director of
Vermont Treatment Programme
for Sexual Abusers, U.S.
In this service review, the panel considered the ETU programmes as comprehensive and mature. It has attained a high professional standard and has been consistent with the international best practice criteria.
In the future, clinical psychologists will continue the research work to perfect the localised assessment tools for accurate re-offending risk and treatment needs assessment, and strive for the development of psychological assessment and treatment suitable for PIC in Hong Kong. The Treatment Advisory Panel comprised of internationally renowned experts will periodically review the existing treatment programmes to benchmark with international standards and enhance the quality of assessment and treatment provided for PIC committing sex offences.