Hong Kong Correctional Services Wins Gold Award for Innovative Practice

    
The Green Haven Scheme run by the Hong Kong Correctional Services has won a gold award for its green innovative practice in the 2002 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards.

    
With sponsorship from the Beat Drugs Fund, the Department started the community education scheme at its Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre from January 2001 to promote both the anti-drug message and the importance of environmental protection among young people.

 Young participants aged 13 to 18 meet with inmates of the Centre to gain insights into the detrimental effects of drug abuse and visit green facilities on Hei Ling Chau to learn more about environmental protection.  In a ceremony, they vow to stay away from drugs, and plant seedlings to signify support for environmental protection.

Hei Ling Chau is an island managed by the Hong Kong Correctional Services since 1975.  There are three penal institutions, namely the Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre, Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution and Lai Sun Correctional Institution on the island.   

    
“The Scheme has been well received.  Nearly 3 000 students, youngsters, teachers, and youth workers from over a hundred schools and youth organisations have taken part in the programme in the past two years,” said Mr Poon Wing-hong, Senior Superintendent of Hei Ling Region. 

    
“We have spared no efforts in preserving the natural surroundings on the island.  The green initiatives implemented included the adoption of an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System, composting, production of recycled paper, tree and flower planting, protection of rare species, etc.,” Mr Poon added. 

“These initiatives help inmates cultivate a ‘Green Living Manner’, a healthy lifestyle from which they would stand to benefit even after their release.”

 The 2002 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards was jointly organised by the Environmental Campaign Committee, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and the Hong Kong Productivity Council. 

    
Established in 1999, the awards scheme aims to encourage, promote and give public recognition to organisations in Hong Kong which adopt the principles of green practices in their business. 

    
A total of 193 private and public organisations participated in the 2002 Hong Kong Eco-Business Awards to vie for various awards in four categories, namely the Green Office Award (Large Organisations), the Green Office Award (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises), the Green Property Management Award (Private Housing) and the Green Innovative Practice Award. 

    
The Green Haven Scheme received a gold award in the Green Innovative Practice category, which was assessed according to the eco-innovative model with the three key components of innovative culture, concept generation and performance as well as community contribution.

Captions:

Young participants of the Green Haven Scheme learn about the green initiatives being implemented on Hei Ling Chau.