Persons in custody at Lai King Correctional Institution attain good examination results (with photos)

     Young female persons in custody at Lai King Correctional Institution (LKCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (October 16) in recognition of their study efforts and achievements.
      
     In the past year, 20 persons in custody at the institution sat for various academic and vocational examinations including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination and examinations covering beauty therapy, the food and beverage service, elementary Cantonese cooking and kitchen operations, elementary laundry skills, retailing and customer services held by the City and Guilds International Limited, the Christian Action, the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong and the Vocational Training Council. They achieved eight merits out of 58 certificates obtained. A total of nine persons in custody were presented with 37 certificates today. One person in custody achieved a score of 21 marks overall in the six papers taken in this year's HKDSE Examination – the highest score so far obtained by a female young person in custody.
      
     Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yan Oi Tong (YOT), Dr Louisa Lo, said that the CSD places equal emphasis on safe custody and education, and spares no effort in implementing appropriate rehabilitation programmes with the aim of fully preparing persons in custody to reintegrate into society after their release. Its mission is in line with the principles of YOT, which promote the education and overall nurturing of youths as well as supporting the community. With their shared visions, YOT and the CSD strive to provide quality education to adolescents and help different sectors of the community, so as to build a society embraced by love and benevolence, she said.
      
     During the ceremony, a representative of persons in custody expressed her gratitude for the department's support of rehabilitation, while her mother shared her joy at seeing the positive changes in her daughter while she underwent training. The ceremony ended with marvellous music and dancing performances by persons in custody.
      
     Also attending the ceremony were the Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation), Ms Ng Sau-wai, representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.
      
     LKCI accommodates female persons in custody aged from 14 to under 21. The CSD provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for persons in custody to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.