Persons in custody at Shek Pik Prison attain good examination results (with photos)

     A total of 102 persons in custody in Shek Pik Prison (SPP) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with scholastic certificates at a ceremony today (October 30) in recognition of their study efforts and academic achievements.

     The 102 persons in custody who were awarded certificates today had passed 162 papers with 115 distinctions and credits. Among them, one person in custody was awarded a Master's Degree of Business Administration, two persons in custody were awarded Bachelor Degrees of Business Administration and two persons in custody were awarded Associate Degrees of Business Administration by the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) respectively.

     In 2019, a total of 181 persons in custody at SPP passed 291 papers in various distance learning courses and public examinations organised by the OUHK, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, the British Council, the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the City and Guilds International Limited. Examinations passed covered a variety of subjects including Chinese language, English language, mathematics, economics, business finance, business statistics, business administration, software applications, Putonghua, accounting and book-keeping.

     Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Po Leung Kuk (PLK), Mr Ma Ching-nam, said, "The PLK is highly supportive of the diverse rehabilitation work of the CSD and supports persons in custody to pursue further studies by funding the Prisoners' Education Trust Fund, thus helping them to reintegrate into society."

     Students from affiliated secondary schools of the PLK were encouraged to participate in activities under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project, with a view to embracing the messages of leading a law-abiding and drug-free life as well as supporting offender rehabilitation, thereby helping to build a safe, harmonious and caring society in a collaborative way. 

     During the ceremony, Ms Vivian Yip, host of the radio programme "Devoted to You", was invited as a guest to jointly stage a live broadcast with persons in custody. A band formed by persons in custody at SPP also sang to convey gratitude to their family members and all those helping them in rehabilitation.

     Also attending the ceremony were the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Woo Ying-ming, representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of certificate recipients.

     Situated on Lantau Island, SPP is a maximum security institution with a capacity of 426 penal places for male adult persons in custody.