Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2014[ Commissioner’s Foreword] [ Operations and Institutional Management ] [ Rehabilitation ] [ Industries and Vocational Training ] [ Human Resource Management ] [ Quality Assurance ] [ Administration and Planning ] [ Green Management ] [ Appendices ] |
Human Resource ManagementDeveloping a highly motivated workforce and sustaining manpower support for our correctional institutions remain the most challenging targets of the Human Resource Division. We will continue to develop a perseverant and ethical team within the service, enabling our staff to contribute effectively and efficiently in serving the community through realising the Department's values and aspirations.
Staff Recruitment, Training and DevelopmentIn the recruitment exercises held for the posts of Officer and Assistant Officer II in 2014, the Department received a total of 8 715 and 7 072 applications respectively. As at the end of October 2014, 59 Officers and 254 Assistant Officers II joined the Department on completion of the procedures and formalities. A total of 18 Technical Instructors and 11 Instructors were appointed and worked under the Industries and Vocational Training Section to provide market-oriented training to persons in custody. Staff Training Institute (STI) of the Human Resource Division is the most important training and development facility of the Department. New recruits must undergo about half-year residential training in the institute where they have to go through fundamental courses and examinations relating to the correctional profession. The institute organises courses for serving staff pertaining to their career development, post-tied and job-related needs. It provides courses catering not only for the Department but also, when necessary and appropriate, for other organisations and government departments. The Department has developed a Knowledge Management System since 2011 for staff members to acquire professional knowledge conveniently via the e-platform at the Departmental Intranet. Staff members can log in through their individual departmental account and search useful information they need from the relevant folders and topics. With the development of knowledge sharing culture, the login rate of users has been increasing steadily. To provide support and give encouragement to new staff members in adapting to work in our correctional setting, the Institutional-based Mentorship Programme (IBMP) has been fully implemented in all institutions since May 2011. As at the end of the year, there are a total of 435 mentors guiding 1 434 mentees. A "Best Mentor" Award Scheme was launched in February 2014 for encouraging the mentors to assist new staff members actively in sharing their work knowledge and experience and thus further boosting staff morale. Development courses are organised by STI for different levels of our staff members to enhance their professional knowledge and work skills. Junior Command Course, Intermediate Command Course and Intermediate Command Course (Higher) are provided to Officers up to Chief Officers respectively. For Superintendents, they are arranged to attend the Senior Command Course. All these courses aim at equipping staff at different levels with knowledge relating to their ranks so as to match their career development needs and build visions in preparation for their advancement to the next higher rank. A total of 15 one-day or two-day courses of Team Building Programme were provided to 250 staff members including Institutional Integrity Ambassadors, newly promoted Assistant Officers I, mentors and mentees of Institutional-based Mentorship Programme to build up team spirit and develop personal potential as well as self-confidence. As for other job-related and post-tied development training programmes, STI conducted a total of 264 development training courses (as at 31.12.2014) for 5 263 staff members in the year. To enhance the effectiveness of the courses and incorporate expertise, some courses were outsourced to local universities and management consultants. In addition, Civil Service Training and Development Institute continues to provide training support for our staff. Partnership and cooperation with proficient training bodies is essential in the delivery of professional staff training. Amongst others, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong (HKU SPACE) continues to organise the Advanced Diploma in Social Sciences (Corrections) Programme for our staff. The sixth programme began in September 2014 and 45 staff members have been sponsored for the training. The top-up degree programme Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Work Based Learning Studies (Corrections) Programme, jointly organised by HKU SPACE and United Kingdom Middlesex University, has been held for three consecutive years. A total of 14 staff members out of 30 enrolled staff members have completed the course and obtained the degree since its first launch. The same education institute has also been contracted to organise the Training Courses in Languages and Cultures of Ethnic Minorities in Hong Kong since 2011. In 2014, 12 language courses on Punjabi, Nepalese, Vietnamese, Urdu and Indonesian were conducted for new recruits and selected serving officers to enhance job efficacy and their understanding of the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. To cope with the demand for tactical training from local law enforcement agencies, the Department arranged six training courses for 277 participants of Hong Kong Police Force, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Department and Independent Commission Against Corruption including Tactics & Armourer Training Course on PepperBall Launchers and Pistols, Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) Instructor Certification Training Course for Extendable Truncheon and Handcuffs, Immigration Centre Basic and Quarterly Refresher Tactical Training Course, Tactical Defensive Team Training Course and Escort Duties Training Course. On the other hand, the Department arranged other courses including Tactical Defensive Team Training for Macao Prison; worked with Guangdong Prison Administrative Bureau on Less Harm Control and Prison Emergency Response Team Training for Xinjiang Production and Construction Force Prisons Administrative Bureau and Tactical Defensive Team Training for Xichuan Judicial and Police Officers Professional College. There were 126 participants who had completed the training in these three training courses. In the year, the Department continued to work with the Education Bureau in implementing the Enhanced Smart Teen Project. The programme covered emotional control, conflicts management, penal institution visit, law and order, orienteering in Stanley Region and hiking in country park to help participants, mostly secondary school students, cultivate self-discipline, confidence, team spirit and resilience. Similar training was also provided to secondary school students via the programmes of Job Shadow Day sponsored by the Junior Achievement Hong Kong and Future Stars Scheme hosted by the Commission on Poverty to help participants understand the work of the Department and develop their readiness for future career engagement in the correctional services. As one of the most-visited museums in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum showcases the historical evolution of Hong Kong's penal system and the role of the Department as an integral part of the criminal justice system with the importance of rehabilitation of offenders and their acceptance by society well illustrated. Guided tours are provided to school students and non-government organisations which serve as an important channel between the Department and the community. During the year, the Museum received 296 visiting groups with 38 068 visitors. Since its opening in 2002, more than 667 642 visitors have visited the Museum.
Staff Relations and WelfareThe Senior Departmental Consultative Committee and Junior Departmental Consultative Committee quarterly meetings have been mutually beneficial consultation mechanisms to enhance understanding and facilitate exchange of views on policies and staff related issues. Regular consultations were also conducted with staff representatives throughout 2014 to solicit staff views on special matters such as review of job-related allowances, five-day work week and extension of the retirement age of civil servants. The Staff Relations and Welfare Unit coordinates all matters relating to staff welfare and offers immediate assistance to staff and their family members in times of need. Loans and grants for certain serving and retired staff and family members are issued through the Correctional Services Department Welfare Fund. The Unit administers the Correctional Services Department Central Fund to provide group insurance coverage for staff on voluntary basis. The Correctional Services Children's Education Trust continues to provide financial assistance to children of Assistant Officers and equivalent grades in the Department to help them pursue higher education. Disabled children undertaking full-time education or training also receive financial assistance from the Trust. In 2014, over $1 million was granted to 195 recipients. The Oi Kwan Education Scholarship was founded by the Department in the year with generous donations from eminent members of the society in appreciation of the contribution of staff of the Department in helping Hong Kong to be one of the safest cities in the world. The aim of the Scholarship is to promote life-long learning among staff with a view to enhancing their academic qualifications and granting awards to their children with outstanding academic results. In 2014, over $0.16 million was granted to 41 recipients. The Correctional Services Department Sports Association (CSDSA) organises sports and recreation activities for staff members of the Department. The Association's work is an essential part of our drive to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle among staff and cultivate their esprit de corps. During the year, the Annual Sports Meet, Swimming Gala, 10-K Distance Run, Family Outing on Hei Ling and various inter-institutional competitions were organised. As part of the Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle Campaign and to promote quality use of leisure time, the Correctional Services Department Choir which comprises around 35 serving and retired staff members has been established for those in favour of less vigorous recreation activities. The Department participates actively in charity and fund-raising events, including the Community Chest of Hong Kong's Corporate and Employee Contribution Programme (CECP), the Community Chest BOCHK Cycling Challenge and Walk for Millions. In 2013/2014, we were presented with the CECP Silver Award, ECP Outstanding Award, Highest Donation Award and Highest Participation Rate Award of Civil Service Category. The Department also won the Outstanding Walking Team Award in the Walks for Millions, and Award of Merit as an overall achievement. To cultivate a caring workforce and a sense of social responsibility among staff, officers join the Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited as volunteers in leisure time to contribute and respond to community's needs. By doing so, staff members help building a cohesive and inclusive society. In 2014, 25 592 service hours of voluntary work were provided by 2 808 volunteers in various social services including home visits and cleaning services for the elderly, organising party for people with intellectual disabilities and providing logistic support for different organisations in charity events, such as Oxfam Trailwalker 2014 and Kwong Wah Hospital – Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited Fun Day 2014 etc. To support the "Hong Kong Our Home" and "Bless Hong Kong" campaign, Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited participated in the "Active School" Campaign, organised by the Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association. Students from eight primary schools could enjoy fun-filled school activities specially designed by the volunteer career athletes, who were invited to the guest sessions of "Sport Life", radio programme of RTHK, to share their experience in volunteer services. Clinical Psychologists (Staff Services) provided professional psychological services to staff and their families. The two Staff Health Centres located in Lai Chi Kok and Stanley provided parallel services including psychotherapy, psycho-education materials and relaxation facilities, etc. for staff and their families in Kowloon and Hong Kong Region respectively. Staff Psychological Services also rendered in-service training to new recruits and serving staff on psycho-education including stress management. In year 2014, Healthy & Balanced Lifestyle Campaign continuously integrated positive psychology concepts including social harmony in productions. Leaflets on management of insomnia and spousal harmony were produced. Three animated films and corresponding monthly phrases for living had been developed and uploaded to the Healthy and Balanced Lifestyle Website, with topics including self-acceptance, resilience and let go of social comparison. A book namely " 24 Articles of Hearty words" collecting lively articles had been produced to foster healthy, positive and balanced living attitude among our colleagues. Starting from September, 2014, an Optimism and Care Project has been launched, with Dandelion as the ambassador to enhance the self compassion and strengths of staff via posters, comics and micro-films. With optimism, staff would help spread the positivity around including colleagues, families and the society. With the continual, sustainable and total commitment in caring for the well-being of staff and their families as well as the community, the Department has been awarded the 5 Years Plus Caring Organisation Logo under the Caring Company Scheme organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.
Staff Administration and Integrity ManagementCorrectional Services Department attaches great importance in enhancing personal qualities and virtues of our staff, in particular integrity. Subsequent to the launching of the TEAM – SPIRIT integrity management model in 2011, further efforts have been stepped up to intensify the integrity management within CSD through diversified activities, such as 'Integrity Quiz Challenge', to encourage staff involvement in the promotion of integrity and ethical culture, response from staff was positive. Under the Integrity Ambassadors Programme launched in May 2011, nominated staff members from different institutions/sections were appointed as Integrity Ambassadors ('IAs') to assist in nurturing and sustaining an ethical culture at institutional level. As at December 2014, a total of 183 IAs were appointed. The Department has been working closely with the ICAC in enhancing integrity training for CSD staff. Anti-corruption talks by the ICAC has been arranged to cover all CSD staff within a specific cycle. It is expected that through embedding an ethical culture within the Department and the promotion of integrity management, we could further strengthen work ethics and positive value of our staff that help steer our professional services towards excellence. Continuous efforts will also be made to address the needs and concerns of staff members by improving the conditions of service. In the year, a Task Group was appointed to further identify suitable disciplined workposts for migration to 5-day work week. Other caring policies such as 5-day paternity leave entitled to all male civil servants and the provision of breastfeeding facilities in workplaces for lactating employees have all been supported and implemented. Nowadays, demand for housing from all walks of life is overwhelming. A stable living environment can definitely help employees focus more of their efforts on career, enjoy lives without anxiety and enhance their sense of belonging to the Department. Thus, ongoing efforts have been made to ensure the availability of quarters for the sake of our staff. It is anticipated that the redevelopment project of quarters in Fu Tei, Tuen Mun will be completed in 2015. By that time, additional quarters will be supplied. Also, if funding is approved, the quarters project in Tin Wan, Aberdeen led by CSD and the project in Kwun Tong led by the Immigration Department would be completed in 2019, providing more than 100 units of married quarters for our junior staff. We will continue to increase the number of quarters by various means with a view to increasing the supply of married quarters to suit the accommodation needs of staff.
Professional ExchangeCorrectional Services Department has launched strategic plans to conduct professional exchanges with the Mainland counterparts so as to establish a liaison platform. In the year, CSD delegations had professional exchanges with respective Prison Administration Bureau in Guangdong Province, Nei Mogol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizu Zizhiqu and Anhui Province. On international front, CSD continues to maintain professional exchanges through participation in major international conferences such as the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators, Association of Paroling Authorities International Training Conference, The United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UNAFEI), General Police Equipment Exhibition & Conference (GPEC), etc. We aim at diversifying the exposures of staff members for succession planning and benchmarking best practices with our counterparts towards professionalism and excellence in our services.
Legal Research & ConsultationThe Legal Research Unit was established in June this year. The unit provides assistance on matters relating to legal advice and coordinate legal training for our staff so as to enhance the overall legal professional standard in the Department. The Legal Research Unit is headed by a Chief Officer, under the Human Resource Division. With the increasing transparency of the government and arising public concerns, establishment of the unit can improve the department's professional standards and efficiency in serving the community. The Unit is tasked to coordinate relevant legal consulting work when legal issues with departmental-wide implications arise. The Unit is also responsible for establishing, coordinating and managing a central legal advice data base, through uploading the relevant information in the departmental knowledge management system. The data base provides colleagues with access for duty-bound needs and a platform for making reference to relevant legal advices so as to further improve the overall quality of work and efficiency of the department.
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