Human Resource Management

Staff are our most valuable asset and, in chorus, the growth of our workforce is imperative for the development of the Department. Steering in this principle, we take on board high quality persons in our recruitment process. We formulate strategic training policies to look after the needs of staff and the Department and correspondingly, we web our efforts to cater for staff work-life balance.

Recruitment of staff remains one of our work focuses in 2008. In view of the high wastage over the years to come, replenishment of new blood is vital. We will continue to step up our recruitment process.

The year 2008 is filled with activities and initiatives. We align our training strategies with the development needs of both staff and the Department. Apart from the wide-ranging courses offered to staff at different levels, extensive opportunities of exposure are offered to staff in international conferences, overseas exchanges and visits.

Apart from looking after staff career needs and development, we value and promote work-life balance. While encouraging "healthy lifestyle" through various campaigns and schemes, we convey and live up to the message by forming various sport associations so as to give the maximum reach to staff and their families. Our objective is to uphold the high standard of occupational health, esprit de corps and staff morale.

I am very much honoured to take up the present responsibility. With the devotion of the HR team and with the perseverance of all staff, I am confident that 2009 will be another flourishing year for staff and the Department.

LAM Kwok-leung
Assistant Commissioner (Human Resource)

Foundational and Essential Training

To bring in high quality members to serve the community, the Staff Training Institute (STI) dedicates to provide fundamental but solid basic training for the newly recruited staff members. Recruit training aims to provide new personnel with basic knowledge and skills for carrying out their duties and a foundation orientation of correctional work towards the improvement of human resources. The duration of training for recruit Officers is 26 weeks and that for recruit Assistant Officers II is 23 weeks including a two-week field placement at penal institutions. The contents of recruit training emphasise on both theory and practice. The training syllabus includes Laws of Hong Kong, rules and regulations, counselling, social work techniques, management, psychology, criminology, penology, first-aid, foot drill, anti-riot drill, self-defense, emergency response tactics, the use of weapons, scenario training, adventure training, field training, Putonghua and knowledge on Basic Law, etc. In 2008, 93 recruit Officers, 277 recruit Assistant Officers II and 39 recruit Instructors participated in the Recruit Training Course.

Training for the Future

The Management Development and Training Programme were introduced in mid-2005. The 10-module training programme aims to enhance the multi-dimensional knowledge and skills for mid-career officers. The diversified training topics include operational knowledge, report writing skills, handling of media, human resource and financial management, communication and leadership skills, disciplinary practice and procedures, project management. This programme serves not only as the platform for their acquisition of knowledge, but also enhances the vision of those eligible officers to achieve their career aspiration through the centralised training opportunities. Until the end of 2008, 148 Principal Officers and 117 Officers successfully completed the whole programme and were cultivated as committed and motivated workforce for the future succession. Also, a 16-day Senior Command Course was conducted to broaden the administrative and management capabilities of the Senior Officers.

Recruit training equips new intakes with professional knowledge and skills to meet future challenges.

Full Scale Implementation of the Experiential Learning

Scenario training is a crucial part of the recruit training.

Apart from the routine classroom training, full-scale implementation of the adventure-based learning had been achieved. In recognition of the art deco "Challenge Course", a multi-functional outdoor training facility established in STI, adventure-based training such as rope course, sport climbing, abseiling and other challenging team building activities were organised and incorporated into most of the existing training programme. In light of this compact training facility, the ultimate aims to facilitate staff members to improve the communication competence, problem solving ability, team cooperation, trust building and self-confidence of the participants had been gradually accomplished.

Staff members attend the first class of "Close-Quarter-Counter Measures Instructor Course" taught by US experts.

Firearms Training

With the aid of Indoor and Outdoor Firing Ranges, firearms training becomes more complete and oriented. Comprehensive firearms training is provided for newly recruited trainees. Customised training programmes are arranged to accommodate the operational requirements of the tower and escort duties staff. Besides, the well-scheduled firearms refresher-training programmes re-enforce the knowledge of staff members in handling firearms purposefully. In 2008, 1 539 staff underwent firearms training.

Striving for Professionalism and Benchmarking of Standards

In order to meet ever rising expectation from the public, we arranged a series of tailor-made development training and management programmes for our staff.  The scope of these training programmes included command course, refresher course, functional course for staff working in different types of penal institutions, duties-oriented course for staff in special duties, etc (see Appendix 14). In 2008, we conducted a total of 364 training courses for 6 294 staff members.

To re-engineer the staff force with advanced skills and knowledge to meet the challenges ahead, we arranged specialist and professional training courses throughout the year. The Correctional Emergency Response Team Training Course was organised for staff taking up posts in the emergency response teams of the Department.  Essential elements such as self defense, scenario exercises, firearms training, anti-riot exercises, etc. were incorporated in the course. 

To meet the need of enhancing frontline staff's leadership skill and teamwork spirit, we organised jointly with the Outward Bound Training School 19 classes of Team Building Course for 218 Assistant Officers.

More significantly, we have been working closely with universities, managerial consultants and professionals as well as the Civil Service Training and Development Institute of Civil Service Bureau to provide quality co-opted courses and to generate new training perspectives. We are dedicated to enhancing the accreditation of our staff training.

Pledge to the Community

Members of Correctional Services Staff Volunteer Group give helping hand to Tai O residents in the aftermath of heavy rain.

In support of the initiatives of the Education and Manpower Bureau to develop the confidence, self-discipline, interpersonal skills, team-work and physical fitness for secondary schools students, the Department continued to organise the Smart Teen Challenge Camp for such purposes. Through the five-day residential and disciplinary training programme held in STI, participants could achieve significant enhancement for their personal quality and interpersonal collaboration.  In 2008, a total of 116 students participated in the programme.

Being one of the key tourist spots of the region, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum not only serves as a channel between the Department and the community, but also showcases the public the evolution of the penal system of Hong Kong and the role of the Department as an integral part of the criminal justice system. Guided tour services were provided to group visitors like school students and other non-government organisations with the importance of rehabilitation of inmates and their acceptance by society being well illustrated. During the year, the Museum served 519 visiting groups and with a total of 39 127 visitors.

Staff Relations and Welfare

Commissioner Kwok Leung-ming receives the "Total Caring Award" from Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang.

The Correctional Services Department Welfare Fund provides loans and, in special cases, grants for serving and retired personnel and for family members of deceased staff who are in need of financial assistance.

The Department has initiated the Staff Motivation Scheme since 2004 to enhance staff welfare. In May 2008, six winners of the "Best All Round Staff in Respective Institutions" under the Scheme were awarded to join the Malaysia Study Tour. The delegation was led by Deputy Commissioner. They visited penal institutions and attended a seminar in Malaysia. The awardees found the study tour very fruitful and useful in exchanging views with Malaysian counterparts on penal management matters.

The Unit also administers the Correctional Services Department Central Fund to provide insurance coverage to our staff on voluntary participation. As at the end of 2008, 2 726 members joined the Central Fund.

During the year, the Correctional Services Children's Education Trust continued to provide financial assistance to children of Assistant Officers and equivalent grades in the Department to assist them in pursuing higher education. Disabled children undertaking full-time education or training also received financial assistance from the Trust. In 2008, a total of $882,403 was granted to 157 recipients from the Trust.

Sports and Recreation

The Department continues to promote a healthy lifestyle among staff in which sports and recreation play a major part.  Sports and recreation activities are organised by the Department in partnership with the Correctional Services Department Sports Association (CSDSA). Emphasis is placed on sustaining physical fitness among staff members and cultivating their esprit de corps. A Leisure Services Manager is seconded from the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to give professional advice and assistance in planning and arranging activities.

The Sport Meet of Guangdong/ Hong Kong/ Macao serves as a platform for promoting amity among correctional staff from the three jurisdictions.

The Department organised the 2008 Sports Meet of Guangdong/Hong Kong/Macao Correctional Officers, which was a biennial sport event organized by Prison Management Bureau of Guangdong Province, Macao Prison and Hong Kong by rotation. It endeavoured to provide a platform for promoting amity among correctional personnel from neighbouring regions and cultivate a healthy life style in the general public. In 2008, Hong Kong hosted the Sports Meet. The Singapore Prison Service and Korea Correctional Service, Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea were also invited as guest teams. Hong Kong won the overall champion in the Sport Meet.

Community Involvement

During 2008, the Department continued to participate in various charity events.  In the fund-raising events organised by the Community Chest, the Department was awarded as one of the Outstanding Walking Teams of 2007/2008 Walks for Millions, the Outstanding Award for Employee Contribution Programme, the Silver Award of the Corporate & Employee Contribution Programme.

Volunteer Services

The Correctional Services Staff Volunteer Group seeks to extend our spirit of care to the community through benevolent activities. At the end of 2008, a total of 1 610 members were organised under 14 units, incorporating 1 407 ordinary members and 203 associate members.

Staff Consultation

Principal Officer Yuen Wai-san is elected by the public as a torchbearer in Hong Kong's Olympic Torch Relay.

Staff consultation meetings are held at regular intervals to foster staff relations. The two Departmental Consultative Committees (DCCs), namely the Senior Departmental Consultative Committee (SDCC) and the Junior Departmental Consultative Committee (JDCC), meet quarterly to discuss issues of staff concern.

For SDCC, there are representatives from the members of the Correctional Services Officers' Association (CSOA), the Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union (CSGU), the Hong Kong Chinese Civil Servants' Association (CCSA) and the Correctional Services Department Staff Branches/Class Unit Joint Conference. For JDCC, apart from the three associations mentioned, there are also representatives from members of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association (AOGA).

Ad-hoc consultation was conducted with the staff side representatives in 2008 to solicit staff views on particular matters such as Grade Structure Review.

Staff Associations and Unions

Training kit on integrity management produced by the Department.

There is a total of five registered staff associations and unions in the Department, namely the Correctional Services Officers' Association(CSOA); the Hong Kong Correctional Services General Union(CSGU); the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Assistant Officers General Association(AOGA); the Association for the Retired Staff of the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department(CSRSA) and the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department Female Institutions Assistant Officers Association(FIAOA). They maintain effective communication with the Department.

Staff Psychological Services

The Staff Psychological Services is headed by a clinical psychologist to enhance the work efficacies and psychological well-being of staff. Two centres are run in Stanley and Lai Chi Kok to provide staff and their families with psychotherapy and relaxation facilities. Audio-visual resources are also available to help staff manage occupational and life stress.

After completion of the "Mental-health Awareness Campaign" in mid-2008, clinical psychologist has started conducting talks on "Utilising positive thinking and emotions" at different institutions. Training for new recruits as well as refreshers at STI and different special postings continues to enhance staff's resilience and strengthen their motivation at work. The talks conducted by the Staff Psychological Services were delivered to 3 148 staff members during the year.

Awards and Commendations

The Department won the "Total Caring Award 2007/08" under the Caring Company Scheme organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. This Award is a recognition of the Department's continual, sustainable and total commitment in caring for the well-being of the staff and their families, as well as that of the community. The winning of the award was made through no small parts of the invaluable contribution from the staff members and their families, notably in caring for the community and helping the vulnerable through giving and voluntary services.

Departmental Ethics Committee ("DEC")

Deputy Commissioner Ying Kwok-ching shares with representatives from government departments CSD's experience in strengthening ethical governance and integrity management.

The Department attaches great importance to the maintenance of high integrity. To echo the Ethical Leadership Programme jointly launched by the Civil Service Bureau and the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the DEC, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, was established in April 2007 to strengthen ethical governance and integrity management of the Department.  In 2008, a training kit on "Painful Remorse" and "Supervisory Responsibility" for the frontline and middle-ranking officers respectively, and booklets on integrity management were produced to equip staff with knowledge and skills for upholding a higher ethical standard. Seminars/talks on Ethics were arranged for senior and middle managers of the Department. From 2009 onwards, the DEC meets twice a year to continue developing and sustaining ethical culture as well as reviewing integrity management measures.