Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2013[ Commissioner’s Foreword] [ Operations and Institutional Management ] [ Rehabilitation ] [ Industries and Vocational Training ] [ Human Resource Management ] [ Quality Assurance ] [ Administration and Planning ] [ Green Management ] [ Appendices ] |
Administration and PlanningThe Division is headed by an Administrative Officer Staff Grade C and comprises the following sections:
Administration SectionDepartmental Administration Unit provides administrative and logistical support for departmental headquarters and penal institutions, covering resource management, green management, records and building management. It also maintains grade management for some 500 General Grades staff members. Personnel Unit handles all personnel matters for about 6 800 staff members, including salary and allowances, leave and passages, housing benefits, employee compensation and termination of service. The Unit is also responsible for maintaining personnel and payroll records in computerised systems. Appointments Unit handles all recruitment and promotion exercises. About 22 such exercises were conducted in 2013. The number of intakes of civil servants from open recruitment in the year was around 385. Establishment Sub-unit oversees all establishment matters, including the creation and deletion of posts, temporary redeployment due to operational needs and the provision of secretarial services to the Departmental Establishment Committee. Internal Audit Sub-unit inspects financial and stores matters of all institutions to uphold government regulations and procedures. Translation Unit is responsible for the core translation services of the Department. It also coordinates the translation and interpretation services in non-official languages and dialects for persons in custody. Central Supplies Unit supervises administrative and financial matters relating to procurement, supplies, stores and equipment. Annual purchases in 2012-13 included the following items: Institutional goods and equipment: $39.42 million
Accounts SectionThe Account Section comprises the Departmental, Management and Industries Accounts Offices which are jointly responsible for all financial and accounting operations, including those pertaining to the Correctional Services Industries. Expenditure in 2013 was $3,233 million, excluding capital building works. This represents a 4% rise on 2012, mainly due to increased personal emoluments. Revenue collected from various sources during the year amounted to $60 million, including $51 million in rent from staff quarters. Purchases and recoveries under the Correctional Services Industries Suspense Account were $124 million and $120 million respectively.
Integrated Technology SectionComprising the e-Operations Office and the e-Administration Office, the Integrated Technology Section provides information technology (IT) support for the daily operation of the Department. With the support of the Information Technology Management Unit of the Security Bureau, the Section is also responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of various IT activities and e-Government initiatives for enhancing operational efficiency of the Department. The e-Operations Office specialises in the development of network systems, management of operational IT projects and penal information systems. The e-Administration Office focuses on the management of administrative computer systems, projects and maintenance of departmental internet and intranet websites. In 2013, a project to upgrade the e-mail system of the Department was completed, making enhancement to the performance and security of the e-mail services. Besides, the internet website of the Department was revamped to provide a new look and adopt a more accessible web design to facilitate the general public including persons with disabilities. During the year, the Rehabilitation Programmes Management System (RPMS) was upgraded to facilitate more efficient and reliable operation of the rehabilitation services through enhancing the performance of data analysis, stability and overall sustainability. Apart from the common IT applications, the Section continuously reviews the feasibility of integrating different technologies to strive for excellence in correctional practice and resource optimisation, and facilitate rehabilitation services of the Department.
Works and Planning SectionThe Works and Planning Section plans for the construction of new correctional institutions and the rejuvenation of existing aged correctional facilities in conjunction with Architectural Services Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. Major projects completed in 2013 included the construction of a Urine Specimen Collection Centre in Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre area, installation of the Integrated Security System in Shek Pik Prison, construction of the Inmate-Parent Centre in Lai King Correctional Institution, improvement of staff quarters block and refurbishment of the library, classroom and office in Pik Uk Prison. Capital works projects in progress were in-situ partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women and redevelopment of disciplined services quarters at Fu Tei in Tuen Mun. Projects under planning included the Correctional Services Department Headquarters Building, redevelopment of staff quarters at Tin Wan in Aberdeen and improvement of the Closed Circuit Television Surveillance System in Stanley Prison. Minor building projects in progress in 2013 were the replacement of manual locks by electro-mechanical locks in Lo Wu Correctional Institution, expansion of kitchens in Stanley Prison, replacement of the Closed Circuit Television Surveillance System in Pik Uk Correctional Institution, replacement of outer perimeter fence in Tung Tau Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, security upgrading works at the main gate area of Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, Digital Terrestrial Television Reception works at institutions, and conversion of a workshop and upgrading of visiting facilities in Tai Lam Correctional Institution. Project under planning was the construction of a centralised visit room complex in Hei Ling Chau. The Department continued the effort to enhance vocational training facilities for adult persons in custody and promote the adoption of energy saving lighting devices and renewable energy technology for facilities in various institutions. Besides, the upgrading works of smoking booths, fire services installations and visiting facilities in all institutions were in good progress. Inmate labour was deployed in minor improvement and maintenance works. The arrangement helped them to cultivate good working habit during custody and also provided them with opportunities to receive vocational training, thereby assisting their rehabilitation and re-integration into society.
Public Relations and External Affairs SectionPublic Relations and External Affairs Section is responsible for implementing a proactive external liaison and Public Relations strategy for the Department. The External Affairs Unit is responsible for coordinating two-way visits and professional exchanges with counterparts of Mainland and overseas jurisdictions. This year, the External Affairs Unit also arranged a number of visits to correctional facilities for visitors under the Sponsored Mainland Visitors Programme operated by the Information Services Department to enhance their understanding of custodial and rehabilitative services in Hong Kong. In view of the increasing population of non-local persons in custody, the External Affairs Unit maintains regular and close liaison with the Consulates in the territory and arranges visits to correctional facilities for Consulate Officers. To implement the Framework Agreement between HKSARG and the Guangdong Authority, the Department will soon sign a Cooperation Arrangement with the Guangdong Provincial Prisons Administration Bureau in order to exchange statistical information on persons in custody, add prison visitors information, organise two-way visits and thematic professional exchanges for both authorities. The External Affairs Unit, as the contact point of Hong Kong, plays a coordinating role for matters relating to the Department under the Framework Agreement between HKSARG and the Guangdong Authority. In the year, Public Relations and External Affairs Section works with Television Broadcasts Limited to prepare for the production of a serial drama with setting of correctional services with a view to enhancing public understanding of custodial and rehabilitative services of the Department. The Public Relations Unit is responsible for disseminating information about the Department's plans, services and activities to the media. By keeping the media fully informed, it helps enhance public awareness of the latest developments in custodial and rehabilitative services provided by the Department. It handles media enquiries, issues press releases, and arranges press briefings, conferences, interviews with correctional officers as well as media visits to institutions. It assists in and advises on the production of publicity items, including pamphlets, booklets, posters, exhibition panels as well as TV and Radio Announcements in Public Interest. It also produces the Department's Annual Review and monthly newsletter, The Guardian.
Statistics and Research SectionThe Section provides statistical and research support for the strategic planning, monitoring and review of the Department's operation and correctional programmes. Apart from compiling statistical reports to meet management and planning needs, the Section collates statistics on socio-economic and criminal background characteristics of the penal population and updates the penal population projections to provide assessments of future needs. Drug abuse, incidence of offenders before admission, self-harm, violent and disciplinary behaviours of offenders in custody and recidivism of discharged local offenders and effectiveness of the Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders are monitored to best promote correctional treatment, operation and administrative effectiveness. Policy formulation, decision making and problem solving all benefit from the statistical analyses, research findings and technical insights provided by the Section.
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