Singapore and Hong Kong sign Memorandum of Understanding

Mr Chua Chin Kiat, Director of Singapore Prisons Department and Mr Kelvin Pang, Commissioner of Hong Kong Correctional Services at the MOU signing ceremony held at Singapore Prisons Department, Headquarters on 23 July 2003.         

                The Singapore Prison Service has established a very close working relationship with the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department (CSD) on many fronts. The two Departments have learnt greatly from each other through exchanges of knowledge via reciprocal visits, video conferencing, seminars and forums. An example of the two Departments’ collaboration would be the provision of secretariat and support services to the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA) from October 2001 to December 2003.

                  On 23 July 2003, the two Departments reached another significant milestone in their working relationship with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a joint work programme in the pursuit of improved correctional practices. The MOU signifies the common professional interest and desire of the two Departments to assist each other in their journey to be exemplary correction services in the world.

                  The MOU was signed at the Singapore Prison Service’s first ever Research Forum, held as a platform gathering of like-minded persons to present, discuss and share research findings.

                   With the signing of the MOU, the Singapore Prison Service and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department will work on joint projects to improve correctional practices. This will include sharing of best practices, organising bilateral seminars on topics of mutual interest, development of joint research and study projects, regular exchange of staff and information, visits to both institutions for examination and evaluation of each other’s rehabilitation programmes.

                  The Singapore Prison Service and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department are confident that the enhanced co-operation and joint work between the two Departments will help them achieve their common goal of correctional excellence.