Persons in custody at Stanley Prison attain good examination results (with photos)
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Today's 50 awardees passed 67 papers, achieving a total of 39 distinctions and credits and obtaining 260 university credit points. Among them, one person in custody attained outstanding academic results and was presented with an Outstanding Student Award by the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK), while two persons in custody separately received Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Literature and Bachelor of Social Sciences in China Studies degrees from OUHK.
In 2016, 233 persons in custody at Stanley Prison passed 266 papers of various distance learning courses and public examinations organised by OUHK, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, City and Guilds International Limited and the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Subjects taken included languages, English for business, business finance, business calculations, bookkeeping and accounting.
Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sik Sik Yuen, Dr Chan Tung, said that the CSD has long been committed to providing education to young persons in custody and encouraging adult persons in custody to participate in continuing education during their leisure time. In addition to carrying out custodial work, the CSD conducts a variety of rehabilitation programmes in collaboration with community members and non-governmental organisations, and reforms persons in custody through education and vocational training. Persons in custody are able to make changes and prepare well for their reintegration into society.
Dr Chan added that Sik Sik Yuen upholds the principle of "to act benevolently and to teach benevolence" for supporting persons in need in the community. Hence, Sik Sik Yuen very much agrees with the ideas of rehabilitation of the CSD and has supported the rehabilitation work by subsidising the production of the TV programme "Knowing More About Hong Kong Correctional Services" and the TV variety show "Support Offender Rehabilitation for a Safer and More Inclusive Society" as well as sponsoring students from Ho Ngai College to participate in the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project. In the future, Sik Sik Yuen will continue to show concern and support for the rehabilitation work of the CSD with a view to building a safer and harmonious society in a collaborative way. Dr Chan also encouraged the community to support the rehabilitation work and give rehabilitated offenders a chance to turn over a new leaf.
At the ceremony, a representative of the persons in custody shared his experience of rehabilitation with the audience, and his mother expressed her joy at seeing the positive changes in her son. A beatbox show was performed by persons in custody of various nationalities, while MedArt volunteers and a band formed by persons in custody at Stanley Prison also performed at the ceremony.
The CSD has long been providing a favourable environment for adult persons in custody that encourages them to pursue further studies. To prepare rehabilitated offenders for their return to the community, Stanley Prison provides courses for them to acquire work-related training and recognition. The department also helps them attain job-relevant accreditation by applying through the Recognition of Prior Learning Mechanism under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework in accordance with their working knowledge, skills and experience. Those who have financial difficulties may apply for an education subsidy.
Also attending the ceremony were the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Yau Chi-chiu; representatives of non-governmental and community organisations; community leaders; and family members of certificate recipients.
Established in 1937, Stanley Prison is a maximum security institution with a capacity of 1 151 penal places for male adult persons in custody.
Ends/Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:05
Issued at HKT 17:05
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