The Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) has implemented a new Rehabilitation Centre Programme since July 2002.
The programme is specially devised to cater for the rehabilitation needs of young offenders between 14 and less than 21 years of age whose crimes call for a short-term residential treatment.
It is physically less demanding than the Detention Centre Programme and provides an intermediate sanction between the longer term Training Centre Programme (from six to 36 months) run by CSD and non-custodial measures such as probation administered by the Social Welfare Department.
The programme aims to deter young offenders from committing further crimes, correct their delinquent values and behaviour, help them develop socially acceptable behaviour and respect for law, equip them with necessary social and life skills to enhance their problem solving capacity, and provide them with opportunities to learn the necessary skills for reintegration into society.
It provides training in a correctional institution in the first phase followed by residing in a half-way house in the second phase.
The first phase provides two to five months’ training in a correctional facility which focuses on discipline training and aims to help the young offenders learn to exercise better self-control and develop a regular living pattern.
During the second phase, young offenders will be accommodated in a hostel with a half-way house setting for a period of one to four months on a mandatory basis. They may go out for work, attend vocational training and educational courses, and participate in community service programmes. They would also be encouraged and assisted to maintain contacts with their family members and friends.
The total period of detention would range from a minimum of three months to a
maximum of nine months. The actual period of detention depends on the
offender’s progress, improvement in behaviour, self-care ability, and response
towards counselling. Discharged young offenders are subject to one year’s
statutory supervision by CSD aftercare officers.
As at September 25, 2002, 31 young male offenders and nine young female offenders were admitted to phase one rehabilitation centres.
Discipline training helps to instil a respect for law in rehabilitation centre inmates.