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Thirty-three persons in custody at Cape Collinson Correctional Institution (CCCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony in recognition of their study efforts and achievements today (September 23).
In the past year, 104 persons in custody at the institution sat for various academic and vocational examinations including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and examinations covering the subjects of Chinese word processing, basic electrical installation, local cafe operation and services, creative design and application and basic laundry skills organised by City and Guilds International Limited, the Vocational Training Council, the Construction Industry Council Training Academy and the Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, Hong Kong. They achieved 45 merits out of 232 certificates obtained. Among the candidates, seven persons in custody enrolled in this year's HKDSE Examination and obtained level 2 or above in 40 papers in six subjects. One candidate even obtained 5** in economics. This is the first time that a person in custody has obtained 5** in the HKDSE Examination. All candidates of the HKDSE Examination have successfully enrolled in post-secondary programmes offered by tertiary education institutions.
Officiating at the certificate presentation ceremony, the First Vice-Chairman of Yan Chai Hospital, Dr Cheng Shing-fung, said that Yan Chai Hospital and the CSD are both striving to support education for the young generations. Yan Chai Hospital serves the Hong Kong community with benevolence by assisting the people in society, and it promotes education with the same mission by establishing different types of schools with diversified curricula. Likewise, the CSD conducts rehabilitation schemes and reforms young persons in custody through education, vocational training and character development. With the support of the CSD, they are able to hold positive values and prepare well for their reintegration into society to make contributions in future.
During the ceremony, a person in custody of CCCI shared his profound reflection on his past misdeeds and his learning experience in various areas during his sentence at the institution.
A band formed by persons in custody at CCCI sang to convey their love to their families. A parent representative also spoke of the happiness she felt when seeing her son undergo positive changes at CCCI.
Also attending the ceremony were the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Tang Ping-ming; representatives of non-governmental and community organisations; community leaders; and parents of the certificate recipients.
CCCI has a capacity of 192 penal places for young male persons in custody aged from 14 to under 21 who are ordered by court to undergo the training centre programme for an indeterminate period of six months to three years.
The department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for persons in custody to help them rehabilitate and prepare for reintegration into society.
Ends/Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Issued at HKT 15:10
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