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 ] |
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 performs grade management function for some 500 general and common 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 computerized systems. Appointments Unit handles recruitment and promotion exercises. About 40 such exercises were conducted in 2014. The number of intakes of civil servants from open recruitment in the year was around 390. 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 approves applications of penal institutions for 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 2013-14 included the following items: Institutional goods and equipment: $47.82 million
Accounts SectionThe Accounts 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 2014 was $3,304 million, excluding capital building works. This represents a 2% rise on 2013, mainly due to increased departmental expenses. Revenue collected from various sources during the year amounted to $61 million, including $51 million in rent from staff quarters. Purchases and recoveries under the Correctional Services Industries Suspense Account were $153 million and $144 million respectively.
Integrated Technology SectionThe Integrated Technology Section consists of the e-Operations Office and the e-Administration Office, providing information technology (IT) support for the Department's daily operation. Assisted by the Information Technology Management Unit of the Security Bureau, the Section is also responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing various IT activities and e-Government initiatives to enhance operational efficiency of the Department. The e-Operations Office specialises in developing network systems, managing operational IT projects and penal information systems. The e-Administration Office focuses on the management of administrative computer systems and projects, as well as maintenance of departmental internet and intranet websites. In 2014, two feasibility studies were launched in response to the five-year Information Systems Strategy Plan formulated in 2013 to meet the Department's long-term business needs. One study aimed at enhancing the overall infrastructure of the Department's IT systems, whereas the other focused on establishing the Integrated Custodial and Rehabilitation Management System in order to consolidate the related systems for better operational efficiency. Moreover, with a view to improving the security and reliability of the Penal Record Information System II (PRIS II) and meeting growing demands in the coming years, a project for upgrading the related hardware and software was completed in 2014 to enhance the overall capacity, effectiveness and security of PRIS II. In addition, an exercise of IT Security Audit and Risk Assessment was conducted during the year to strengthen the Department's IT security in a holistic manner by reviewing the existing IT security measures. Apart from the provision of daily support for IT applications, the Section is dedicated to enhancing the Department's operational efficiency and optimising IT resources such as studying the feasibility of integrating different technologies. The Section was proactively studying and developing a mobile application with a view to providing a new and convenient channel for dissemination of information on the Department's services. The mobile application would enable members of the public to obtain information related to the holding institutions and visiting statuses of persons-in-custody, the Department's job vacancies and notification services, etc.
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 2014 included security upgrading works at main gate area of Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre, works on electric locks security system of Lo Wu Correctional Institution and redevelopment project on horticulture workshop of Tai Lam Correctional Institution . 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 of Tuen Mun. Projects under planning included the Correctional Services Department Headquarters Building, redevelopment of staff quarters at Tin Wan of Aberdeen, replacement and enhancement of the closed circuit television system for Stanley Prison as well as installation of electric locks security system in Tai Lam Centre for Women. Minor building projects in progress in 2014 were the expansion of kitchen in Stanley Prison, replacement of the closed circuit television system in Pik Uk Correctional Institution, Shek Pik Prison and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, installation of closed circuit television system in Tai Lam Correctional Institution, perimeter fence improvement works in Tung Tau Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution, digital terrestrial television reception works at institutions, and improvement works on visiting facilities in Tai Lam Correctional Institution. Projects under planning were the construction of a central visit room complex and central administration zone 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, visiting facilities and flag poles in all institutions were in good progress. Persons in custody were deployed in minor improvement and maintenance works. The arrangement helped them 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 continued to arrange 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. Apart from Mainland and overseas visitors, the External Affairs Unit also arranged a number of visits to correctional facilities for students of local universities who are studying subjects related to Hong Kong Legal System and correctional services. These visits foster students' understanding of correctional services. 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. 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. The External Affairs Unit coordinates the training of Liaison Officers by arranging potential staff to undergo professional protocol training. To promote the image of Department, these Liaison Officers provide liaison and reception services to guests in large scale departmental activities and visiting delegations and guests. In the year, Public Relations and External Affairs Section worked with Television Broadcasts Limited and produced a serial drama with setting of correctional services with a view to enhancing public understanding of custodial and rehabilitative services of the Department. The drama was broadcast in October. 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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