Hong Kong Correctional Services
Annual Review 2015

 | Administration Section | Accounts Section | Integrated Technology Section | Works and Planning Section | 
 | Public Relations and External Affairs Section | Statistics and Research Section | 

The Division is headed by an Administrative Officer Staff Grade C and comprises the following sections: Administration Section, Accounts Section, Integrated Technology Section, Works and Planning Section, Public Relations and External Affairs Section and Statistics and Research Section.

[Back to top]

Administration Section

Departmental Administration Unit provides administrative and logistical support for 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 6 900 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 recruitment and promotion exercises. About 35 such exercises were conducted in 2015. The number of intakes of civil servants from open recruitment in the year was around 310. 

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 2014-15 included the following items:
Institutional goods and equipment: $62.93 million
Clothing for persons in custody: $15.43 million
Staff uniform: $7.10 million

[Back to top]

Accounts Section

The 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 2015 was $3 684 million, excluding capital building works. This represents a 12% rise in 2014, mainly due to increased expenditure of personal emoluments. Revenue collected from various sources during the year amounted to $68 million, including $58 million in rent from staff quarters.

Purchases and recoveries under the Correctional Services Industries Suspense Account were $123 million and $122 million respectively.

[Back to top]

Integrated Technology Section

The 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 projects 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 2015, two feasibility studies were completed in response to the five-year Information Systems Strategy Plan formulated in 2013. 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 long-term operational efficiency.

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. In February 2015, a mobile application with a view to providing a new and convenient channel for dissemination of information on the Department was launched. The mobile application would enable members of the public to obtain information related to visiting status of persons in custody through pre-registration, and access information on the Department’s job vacancies and notification services, etc.

[Back to top]

Works and Planning Section

The Works and Planning Section plans for the construction of new correctional institutions and the replacement or enhancement of existing aged facilities in conjunction with Architectural Services Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. Major projects completed in 2015 included the redevelopment of Tuen Fu Road Disciplined Services Quarters in Tuen Mun.

Capital works project in progress was in-situ partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women. 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 (CCTV) for Stanley Prison as well as installation of electric locks security system in Tai Lam Centre for Women.

Minor building projects in progress in 2015 incuded, amongst others, the expansion of kitchen in Stanley Prison, replacement of the CCTV in Pik Uk Correctional Institution, Shek Pik Prison and Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre, digital terrestrial television reception works at institutions, and improvement works on visiting facilities in Tai Lam Correctional Institution, setting up a central visit room complex at Hei Ling Chau, and upgrading the digital video recorder systems of the CCTV systems in various institutions. Projects under planning were the replacement of public address system in Stanley Prison and construction of a central administration zone at 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 various 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 reintegration into society.

[Back to top]

Public Relations and External Affairs Section

Public 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. In 2015, the External Affairs Unit continued to arrange visits to correctional facilities for visitors under the "Sponsored Visitors Programme" operated by the Information Services Department to enhance their understanding of custodial and rehabilitative programmes 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 coordinates the training for 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 who participate in large scale departmental activities and visiting delegations and guests.

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 work and rehabilitation arrangements 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.

In 2015, Public Relations Unit commissioned a company to produce a new departmental video “Shared Mission Unrivalled Challenges”. The Unit also produced several short videos to introduce rehabilitation work and events. The videos have been uploaded onto CSD Youtube Channel.

In addition, the Unit assists in and advises on the production of publicity items and TV and Radio Announcements in Public Interest. It also produces the Department's Annual Review and monthly newsletter, "The Guardian".

[Back to top]

Statistics and Research Section

The 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.

It helps monitor drug abuse incidence of offenders before admission, self-harm, violent and disciplinary behaviours of offenders in custody and recidivism of discharged local offenders to best promote correctional treatment, operation and administrative effectiveness. Policy formulation and other related areas of work benefit from the support provided by the Section.

[Back to top]