​A total of 99 persons in custody (PICs) at Shek Pik Prison (SPP) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (November 27) in recognition of their study efforts and academic achievements.
In the past year, a total of 230 PICs at SPP passed 381 papers with 221 distinctions and credits in various distance learning courses and public examinations organised by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and Caritas Institute of Community Education, covering subjects including Chinese language, English language, mathematics, economics, business finance, business statistics, business administration, Putonghua, accounting and book-keeping. The 99 PICs who were awarded certificates today had passed 149 papers with 109 distinctions and credits. Among them, two PICs were awarded Bachelor's Degrees in Business Administration, two were awarded Bachelor's Degrees in General Studies, one was awarded a Bachelor's Degree in Language and Translation, and two were awarded Associate Degrees in General Studies by the HKMU.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association (CSRA), Dr Cook Chiu, said that the CSRA is fully supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and set up the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association – Perseverance Education Fund in November 2022 with the aim of supporting needy PICs to pursue continuing education and vocational training. He encouraged the PICs to seek continuous improvement with perseverance and build a solid foundation for their rehabilitation.
During the ceremony, volunteer tutor and harmonicist Ramiel Leung partnered with PICs to stage a harmonica performance. In addition, singer Jade Kwan, together with a band composed of PICs at SPP, performed music onstage to convey gratitude to their family members as well as community members and organisations that have helped them rehabilitate.
In the sharing session, a PIC shared his experience in the course of pursuing his studies with perseverance and rehabilitation, and expressed gratitude for his family members' unwavering support.
Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.
Situated on Lantau Island, SPP is a maximum security institution with a capacity of 426 penal places for male adult PICs.
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