| Human Resource Management |
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It has been a great honour for me to take up the office of Assistant Commissioner (Human Resource) in late 2009 and I take pride in leading a team of dedicated staff in achieving our common goals.
The Department values staff as our important asset. In 2010, the Department will continue to actively promote “Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle”. It provides a wide range of activities to aid staff revitalising their bodies and minds apart from emphasising their roles as society guardians and responsible citizens. Such initiatives include sport activities to help colleagues remain healthy and promote esprit de corps, recreational activities to strengthen family bonding, seminars to enhance capability of handling adversities, and voluntary services to support the community and disadvantaged groups.
Given the level of natural wastage in the coming years, the Human Resource Division will also focus on recruitment of new blood and training development for serving staff. Apart from the wide-ranging courses offered to staff at different levels, more opportunities of exposure are offered to staff through visiting our counterparts and attending various work-related conferences, seminars and activities in the Mainland and overseas. Conversely, we will organise various events locally and invite other jurisdictions to attend for professional sharing.
With the whole-hearted support and unswerving commitment of the team, I am confident that we can meet with the challenges ahead.
| YAU Chi-chiu |
| Assistant Commissioner (Human Resource) |
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Foundational and Essential Training
To bring in high quality members to serve the community, the Staff Training Institute (STI) dedicates to provide fundamental but solid basic training for the newly recruited staff members. Recruit training aims to provide new personnel with basic knowledge and skills for carrying out their duties and a foundation orientation of correctional work towards the improvement of human resources. The duration of training for recruit Officers is 26 weeks and that for recruit Assistant Officers II is 23 weeks including a two-week field placement at penal institutions. The contents of recruit training emphasise on both theory and practice. The training syllabus includes Laws of Hong Kong, rules and regulations, counselling, social work techniques, management, psychology, criminology, penology, first-aid, foot drill, anti-riot drill, self-defense, emergency response tactics, the use of weapons, scenario training, adventure training, field training, Putonghua and knowledge on Basic Law, etc. In 2009, 116 recruit Officers, 195 recruit Assistant Officers II and six recruit Instructors participated in the Recruit Training Course. |
Training for the Future
The Management Development and Training Programme were introduced in mid-2005. The 13-module training programme aims to enhance the multi-dimensional knowledge and skills for mid-career officers. The diversified training topics include operational knowledge, report writing skills, handling of media, human resource and financial management, communication and leadership skills, disciplinary practice and procedures, project management. This programme serves not only as the platform for their acquisition of knowledge, but also enhances the vision of those eligible officers to achieve their career aspiration through the centralised training opportunities. Until the end of 2009, 226 Principal Officers and 131 Officers successfully completed the whole programme and were cultivated as committed and motivated workforce for the future succession. Also, a 16-day Senior Command Course was conducted to broaden the administrative and management capabilities of senior officers. |
Full Scale Implementation of the Experiential Learning
Apart from the routine classroom training, full-scale implementation of the adventure-based learning had been achieved. In recognition of the art deco "Challenge Course", a multi-functional outdoor training facility established in STI, adventure-based training such as rope course, sport climbing, abseiling and other challenging team building activities were organised and incorporated into most of the existing training programme. In light of this compact training facility, the ultimate aims to facilitate staff members to improve the communication competence, problem solving ability, team cooperation, trust building and self-confidence of the participants had been gradually accomplished. |
Firearms Training
With the aid of Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges, firearms training becomes more complete and oriented. Comprehensive firearms training is provided for newly recruited trainees. Customised training programmes are arranged to accommodate the operational requirements of the tower and escort duties staff. Besides, the well-scheduled firearms refresher-training programmes re-inforce the knowledge of staff members in handling firearms purposefully. In 2009, 1 783 staff underwent firearms training. |
Striving for Professionalism and Benchmarking of Standards
In order to meet ever rising expectation from the public, we arranged a series of tailor-made development training and management programmes for our staff. The scope of these training programmes included command course, refresher course, functional course for staff working in different types of penal institutions, duties-oriented course for staff in special duties, etc (see Appendix 14). In 2009, we conducted a total of 228 development training courses for 1 677 staff members.
To re-engineer the staff force with advanced skills and knowledge to meet the challenges ahead, we arranged specialist and professional training courses throughout the year. The Correctional Emergency Response Team Training Course was organised for staff taking up posts in the emergency response teams of the Department. Essential elements such as self defense, scenario exercises, firearms training, anti-riot exercises, etc. were incorporated in the course.
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| Training on Pressure point control tactics enhances ability of correctional staff in handling violent incidents. |
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| Prison representatives from the Mainland, Singapore and Macau participate in tactics training conducted by the Department. |
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Besides, a Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) Trainers’ Training Programme was organised to train up qualified PPCT Instructors and Instructor Trainers. A total of 47 participants including our staff members and counterparts from the Mainland, Singapore and Macau as well as local disciplinary forces attended the training. The STI conducted three classes of specially devised Tactical Defensive Team Training Course for 55 staff members to reinforce their defensive skills in handling violent situation in penal institutions. It also provided 143 staff members of Immigration Department with penal management and tactical training during the year.
To meet the need of enhancing frontline staff's leadership skill and teamwork spirit, we organised jointly with the Outward Bound Training School and Youth Outreach 45 classes of Team Building Course for 491 Officers and Assistant Officers.
More significantly, we have been working closely with universities, managerial consultants and professionals as well as the Civil Service Training and Development Institute of Civil Service Bureau to provide quality co-opted courses and to generate new training perspectives. We are dedicated to enhancing the accreditation of our staff training.
The Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education (SPACE) has tailor-made the Advanced Diploma in Applied Social Sciences (Corrections) Programme for our staff members. Students of the course are given substantial credit exemption. Instead of completing the 120 credit in the entire programme, an Assistant Officer is required to complete 54 credits whereas for Officer or above only 30 credits for a study term of one year and half year respectively. In 2009, the Department has sponsored 45 staff members for the programme. |
Pledge to the Community
In support of the initiatives of the Education and Manpower Bureau to develop the confidence, self-discipline, interpersonal skills, team-work and physical fitness among secondary schools students, the Department continued to organise the Smart Teen Challenge Camp for such purposes. Through the five-day residential and disciplinary training programme held in STI, participants could achieve significant enhancement for their personal quality and interpersonal collaboration. In 2009, a total of 115 students participated in the programme.
Being one of the key tourist spots of the region, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum not only serves as a channel between the Department and the community, but also showcases the public the evolution of Hong Kong’s penal system and the role of the Department as an integral part of the criminal justice system. Guided tour services were provided to group visitors like school students and other non-government organisations with the importance of rehabilitation of inmates and their acceptance by society being well illustrated. During the year, the Museum served 394 visiting groups and with a total of 26 747 visitors. |
Staff Relations and Welfare
The Staff Relations and Welfare Unit co-ordinates all matters relating to staff welfare, and offers immediate assistance to staff and their family in times of need. The Correctional Services Department Welfare Fund provides loans and, in special cases, grants for serving and retired personnel and for family members of deceased staff who are in need of financial assistance.
The Department has initiated the Staff Motivation Scheme since 2004 to enhance staff welfare. In September 2009, six winners of the "Best All Round Staff in Respective Institutions" under the Scheme were awarded to join the Japan Study Tour. Led by the Deputy Commissioner, the delegation visited Correction Bureau, Rehabilitation Bureau and penal institutions in Japan. The awardees found the study tour very fruitful and useful in exchanging views with Japanese counterparts on penal management matters.
The Unit also administers the Correctional Services Department Central Fund to provide insurance coverage to our staff on voluntary participation. As at the end of 2009, 2 928 members joined the Central Fund.
The Correctional Services Department Credit Union, set up in June 1991, aims to promote thrift among its members by receiving savings from members and making loans to them. As at the end of 2009, the Credit Union had 4 937 members.
During the year, the Correctional Services Children's Education Trust continued to provide financial assistance to children of Assistant Officers and equivalent grades in the Department to assist them in pursuing higher education. Disabled children undertaking full-time education or training also received financial assistance from the Trust. In 2009, a total of $671,873 was granted to 149 recipients from the Trust. |
Sports and Recreation
The Department continues to promote a healthy lifestyle among staff in which sports and recreation play a major part. Sports and recreation activities are organised by the Department in partnership with the Correctional Services Department Sports Association (CSDSA). Emphasis is placed on sustaining physical fitness among staff members and cultivating their esprit de corps. A Leisure Services Manager is seconded from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to give professional advice and assistance in planning and arranging activities. In 2009, the Annual Sports Meet, Swimming Gala, 10 km Distance Run, Family Outing on Hei Ling and six inter-institutional competitions were just some of the many events organised. |
Community Involvement
During 2009, the Department continued to participate in various charity events. In recognition of the Department’s participation in charity and fund-raising events, we were presented by the Community Chest of Hong Kong with the Award in Corporate and Employee Contribution Programme, including the CARE scheme, the Green Day and Love Teeth Day. The Department also won the Outstanding Walking Teams award in the Walk for Millions 2008/09. |
Volunteer Services
The Correctional Services Staff Volunteer Group seeks to extend our spirit of care to the community through benevolent activities. At the end of 2009, a total of 1 486 members were organised under 15 units, incorporating 1 331 ordinary members and 155 associate members.
During the year, a total of 13 107 hours of voluntary work were provided by group members in various social services including HSBC Pok Oi Cycle for Millions, Oxfam Trailwalker 2009 and East Asian Games 2009. |
Staff Consultation
Staff consultation meetings are held at regular intervals to foster staff relations. The two Departmental Consultative Committees (DCCs), namely the Senior Departmental Consultative Committee (SDCC) and the Junior Departmental Consultative Committee (JDCC), meet quarterly to discuss issues of staff concern.
For SDCC, there are representatives from the members of the Correctional Services Officers' Association (CSOA), the Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union (CSGU), the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association (CCSA) and the Correctional Services Department Staff Branches/Class Unit Joint Conference. For JDCC, apart from the three associations mentioned, there are also representatives from members of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association (AOGA).
Ad-hoc consultation was also conducted with staff representatives throughout 2009 to solicit staff views on particular matters such as officers’ accommodation and the Grade Structure Review. |
Staff Associations and Unions
There is a total of five registered staff associations and unions in the Department, namely the Correctional Services Officers' Association(CSOA); the Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union(CSGU); the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association(AOGA); the Association for the Retired Staff of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department(CSRSA) and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Female Institutions Assistant Officers Association(FIAOA). They maintain effective communication with the Department. |
Staff Psychological Services
The Staff Psychological Services operates two centres in Stanley and Lai Chi Kok to provide staff and their families with psychotherapy, psycho-educational materials as well as relaxation facilities.
In 2009, a total of 592 individual psychological sessions were provided to staff and their families with 52 new referrals. Whenever necessary, Clinical Psychologist (Staff Services) provides ad-hoc crisis intervention and debriefing work for staff and families actively facing life threatening events.
In-services training for new recruits, refreshers and staff newly passed out of Staff Training Institute has been continued. Clinical Psychologist (Staff Services) had completed talks on "Utilising positive thinking and emotions" at various institutions. A total of 18 sessions of the talk had been conducted to 1 126 staff during the year.
A research on Correctional Staff's Psychological Service Needs had been completed in June, 2009. The findings indicate the inter-correlations of staff's stress in different aspects of life and their needs for psychological services. Direction to enhance staff's awareness of their needs to receive psychological services and capture appropriate mode of services has been highlighted. The proactive role of Staff Psychological Services and the Department in promoting Work-Life Balance of staff as prevention of staff's psychological problem is suggested. Under such recommendation, the Staff Psychological Services would launch a Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle Campaign to enhance staff's overall satisfaction in different life aspects and hence their competence and efficacy at work. |
Awards and Commendations
With the "Total Caring Award 2007/08" won in 2008, the Department once again was awarded the “Caring Organisation Award 2008/09” under the Caring Company Scheme organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. This Award is a recognition of the Department's continual, sustainable and total commitment in caring for the well-being of the staff and their families, as well as that of the community. The winning of the award was made through no small parts of the invaluable contribution from the staff members and their families, notably in caring for the community and helping the vulnerable through giving and voluntary services.
As in previous years, the Department also received numerous awards by participating in various charity and fund-raising events, including the Corporate and Employee Contribution Programme, Walk for Millions, and the Community Assistance Raised by Employees (CARE) Scheme. |
Departmental Ethics Committee (DEC)
The Departmental Ethics Committee has, since its establishment in 2007, exerted its all-out effort to maintain a high level of staff integrity and promote an ethical culture within the Department. Led by the Deputy Commissioner, the Committee set direction on integrity management initiatives according to the e-CSD model, namely Education, Commitment (by top management), Supervision and Discipline. In 2009, talks and training workshops on the topics of Corruption Prevention, Integrity Management and Supervisory Accountability were organised for officers of different rank as a sustained effort to embed the integrity and ethical culture in the Department. |
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