Twenty-one young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution (PUCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (November 28) in recognition of their efforts and academic achievements.
Last year, 84 persons in custody sat for various academic and vocational examinations including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, Cambridge English examinations, examinations of the Open University of Hong Kong and examinations organised by City and Guilds International Limited, the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Council and other examination bodies, covering the subjects of computer literacy, hairstyling, elementary Cantonese cooking and kitchen operations and basic laundry skills as well as the Intermediate Trade Test in Joinery. They achieved 215 passes including 20 merits. Of the candidates, seven persons in custody sat for 42 papers for the HKDSE Examination in 2018 and obtained level 2 or above in 27 papers. The 21 persons in custody who were presented with certificates today passed 89 papers.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of Fung Ying Seen Koon (FYSK), Mr Leung Tak-wah, said that the CSD is committed to providing safe custody and appropriate rehabilitation programmes to help persons in custody integrate into society. The CSD has taken the initiative in recent years in community education with an aim to prevent crime and reduce recidivism. In accordance with the principles of "Promotion of Virtue with the Teachings of Daoism and Salvation of Humanity", the FYSK has also engaged in community services as well as rehabilitation activities, such as producing a series of rehabilitation micro-movies in collaboration with the CSD to disseminate the messages of leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation. Moreover, the FYSK generously donated $200,000 to the Prisoners' Welfare Fund to procure multimedia equipment at PUCI in this year so as to further improve the existing "Shall We Talk" broadcasting programme for youths. Furthermore, Mr Leung encouraged the persons in custody to uphold the theme of the ceremony, "Vision in mind, persistence in learning", in order to endeavour to learn and turn over a new leaf with the support of their families and the staff of the CSD.
At the ceremony, a representative of persons in custody spoke of his determination to start a new life and pursue his studies at the institution with the support of CSD staff and his family, and his mother expressed her joy at seeing the positive changes in her son. A band performance and a musical drama were staged by persons in custody at PUCI to convey gratitude to all those helping in their rehabilitation.
Also attending the ceremony were the Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Wong Kwok-hing; representatives of non-governmental and community organisations; community leaders; and family members of certificate recipients.
PUCI has a capacity of 385 penal places for young male remand and convicted persons in custody. The department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for the young persons in custody to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.
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