SCS visits Correctional Services Department (with photos)

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Correctional Services Department today (February 7) to meet with directorate officers and frontline correctional officers, and to learn about the department's latest developments and work of staff. She also toured the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre.
 
     Mrs Yeung and the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, first met with the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Wong Kwok-hing, and directorate staff and were briefed on the custodial environment and facilities of the institution, as well as ways to introduce smart elements and an advanced management mode into facilities improvement projects of the institution.
 
     They then toured various detention, security and rehabilitation facilities, including the exercise yard, dayroom, special unit, hospital, bathroom and reception office, and learned about the challenges and difficulties encountered by the frontline staff in the operation of the reception centre.
 
     During the visit, Mrs Yeung was also briefed by frontline staff on the Intelligent Robotic Monitoring System to know more about how the system assists correctional officers in conducting nighttime patrols and enhancing supervision of persons in custody. In addition, they learned about the application of the Smart Health Sensing System and Contactless Vital Sign Monitoring System, which are used to monitor the breath and heartbeat of patients in the reception centre's hospital.
 
     Mrs Yeung said, "It is a general trend to utilise information technology to implement a modernised management mode in correctional facilities and proactively introduce 'smart prison' elements, which could further improve not only the operational efficiency of the reception centre but also the working environment of correctional officers."
 
     Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met with staff representatives of various grades in the department to exchange views on matters that concerned them. She thanked the colleagues for their commitment and diligence in their work, and for striving to maintain round-the-clock security and order in the correctional facilities.