The year 2007 was an important one for the Correctional Services Department (CSD), in which significant steps were taken towards achieving our goal of building a safer, more inclusive society in Hong Kong. The department identified four critical success factors for achieving this goal: the quality of our custodial services, comprehensive services for offender rehabilitation, the responsiveness of offenders to these services and their own dedication to reform, and community support for the rehabilitation of offenders.

We are committed to alleviate prison overcrowding and meet the demand for decent and modern prison facilities. With Lo Wu Correctional Institution redevelopment works started in April, we anticipate an increase of 1 200 penal places when the three new institutions on the site begin to operate in early 2010. Although this will greatly relieve overpopulation in Hong Kong's prisons, we will continue redeveloping old institutions which are non-purpose built with aging facilities beyond economical repair, and short of space for classrooms and other necessary rehabilitation facilities. We have therefore planned the next project – redeveloping the two institutions in Chi Ma Wan.

CSD is also re-grouping penal facilities, which will improve facilities for Hong Kong's young offenders and allow us to maximise our resources. Based on the results of a study which analysed how to optimise the use of penal facilities, work has started to swap the Lai King Training Centre with the Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution. This project will alleviate overcrowding in institutions for young female offenders, and also enhance the deployment of resources in training centres for male offenders. The first stage of the project has been completed, and the whole project will be completed by the end of 2008.

CSD's Rehabilitation Division will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in January 2008. Over the past 10 years, the Rehabilitation Division has worked tirelessly to promote offender rehabilitation and crime prevention. It has helped many offenders to return to the community as law abiding citizens, and has also helped enhance community acceptance of rehabilitated offenders. This work has been essential to the goals of the CSD as a whole. To mark the anniversary, and further promote public acceptance of and support for offender rehabilitation, a series of publicity events began towards the end of 2007.

Looking to the future, CSD implemented a new phase of its Risks and Needs Assessment and Management Protocol for Offenders in 2007. Rehabilitative programme matching will lower the risk of inmates re-offending after release, and will also help us to better meet the rehabilitative needs of offenders.

We have spared no effort to eradicate illicit activities inside penal institutions, notably the crackdowns on gambling among prisoners and the interception of drugs. In order to uplift our service quality, we have initiated enhancements to the inspection mechanism, an e-platform for sharing experience and delivery of training to institutions, all of which are in the pipeline.

Maintaining a highly committed and motivated workforce is essential to the work of the Department. Approval was given for CSD to intake 374 staff members during 2007-08. The vacancies include 70 new posts. In total, 266 Assistant Officers II, 86 Officers, 17 Instructors, three Clinical Psychologists and two Assistant Lecturers will be hired.

The last comprehensive review on disciplined services grades was conducted in 1988. At the end of 2007, the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service launched a grade structure review for disciplined services grades. This review will assess work nature, job duties, responsibilities and workload. CSD will assist the Committee as it conducts the review.

Close cooperation with other penal authorities in the region is important for the mutual development of prison operations, allowing ideas to be shared and optimising the quality of services. In October, a four-day Prison Forum was held in Hong Kong for prison administrators from Beijing, Guangdong and Hong Kong to exchange views on vocational training and work for prisoners. Singapore and Macau prison officials also joined the Forum as observers. The "Beijing / Guangdong / Hong Kong Prison Forum" was a milestone occasion, as it was the first time that the Beijing Prisons Administration Bureau was one of the organising parties. In early 2008, CSD will host a "Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Sports Meet for Correctional Officers" which will strengthen the cooperation among frontline staff.

Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our staff, CSD has tackled many of the issues on our list of critical success factors this year. I am confident that 2008 will see further success for the Department, as we strive to make Hong Kong a safer place for all.

KWOK Leung-ming, CSDSM
Commissioner of Correctional Services