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A total of 135 inmates in Shek Pik Prison (SPP) were presented with certificates in recognition of their academic achievements at a ceremony today (November 13).
The 135 inmates awarded certificates today had passed 205 papers with 110 distinctions and credits and achieved a total of 345 university credit points. Among them, four inmates attained good academic results and were presented with the Outstanding Student Award of the Year by the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) and three inmates were awarded two Associate Degrees of General Studies and one Associate Degree of Business Administration respectively by OUHK.
In 2013, a total of 250 inmates at SPP have passed 538 papers in various distance learning courses and public examinations organised by OUHK and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, as well as the City and Guilds International Limited.
The examinations passed covered a variety of subjects including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Liberal Studies, Ethics and Religious Studies, Chinese History, Economics, Business Finance, Business Statistics, Business Administration, Software Applications, Putonghua, Accounting and Bookkeeping.
Speaking at the certificate presentation ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yan Chai Hospital, Mr Raymond Leung, commended the Correctional Services Department for helping persons in custody rehabilitate and reintegrate into society, making Hong Kong one of the safest cities in the world. He said he appreciated the efforts and determination of persons in custody to turn over a new leaf.
Mr Leung also said that Yan Chai Hospital had set up the Yan Chai MY Rehabilitation Foundation in 2011 to provide financial assistance to inmates' children who are under 18 years old to help them overcome immediate financial difficulties. It gives encouragement and care for persons in custody and their families with a view to building a harmonious, stable, equal and caring society.
Also attending the ceremony were the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin; representatives of community organisations; community leaders; and families of the inmates.
Situated at 47 Shek Pik Reservoir Road, Lantau Island, SPP is a maximum security institution with a capacity of 426 penal places for male adult prisoners.
Ends/Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:58
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