Systems and Practices of Community-Based Corrections in Hong Kong (From UNAFEI-Resource Material Series, Number 17, 1980, P 145-150, Yoshio Suzuki, ed. - See NCJ-74759)

• NCJ Number: 74771
• Author(s): K K Liu
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Nations

Annotation

This paper describes the community-based programs for juvenile and adult offenders of the Probation and Corrections Division of the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department.

Abstract

The Probations and Corrections Division is charged with supervising all offenders placed on probation, including offenders required by probation order to either reside in a probation home or hostel or be committed to a reform school for a specified period. The Probation Section includes all probation officers, whose two principal duties are to supervise offenders placed on probation and to write social inquiry reports on the personality and behavior of probationers. Other duties include dealing with potential welfare cases at the behest of the courts, preparing reports on the effects of incarceration upon prisoners' families, and supervising boys with behavior problems who are referred by agencies outside the criminal justice system. The Corrections Section operates two reform schools, probation homes for male and female juvenile offenders, and one hostel for juvenile males. It has established organized training and treatment programs in each of these institutions. Treatment and training programs in the reform schools and probation homes must allow for the lower level of academic attainment, irregular admissions, and lack of student motivation. In addition to attending school classes for a half-day and trade class for the other half of the day, the residents are involved in 'home' activities, such as hobbies and community involvement, which will open them to useful group life experiences. Residents of the probation hostel as well as selected cases from the probation home for boys are allowed to go to outside schools or employment during the day and to report back to the hostel or the home at night. All probationers are supervised by their probation officer for the balance of the probation period following discharge from the probation home. Following discharge from reformatories, youths are boarded out for school or employment and are subsequently granted release on license. During the boarding out and license periods, the youths are supervised by their aftercare officer. Four tables are provided.