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 local, Mainland and overseas jurisdictions. This year, the External Affairs Unit continued to arrange visits to correctional facilities for visitors under the Sponsored Visitors Programme operated by the Information Services Department and students of local universities who are studying subjects related to Hong Kong Legal System and correctional services. In view of the increasing population of non-local persons in custody, the External Affairs Unit maintains close liaison with the Consulates in the territory to help persons in custody from other nationalities to handle their problems during incarceration. The External Affairs Unit keeps close working relationship with the Consulates by handling their enquiries, arranging sharing sessions and visits to correctional facilities. The External Affairs Unit coordinates the training of Liaison Officers by arranging protocol training for potential staff. These Liaison Officers provide liaison and reception services to visiting delegations and guests of large scale departmental events.
Separately, the Public Relations Unit is responsible for disseminating information about the Department's plans, services and activities to the media. It handles media enquiries, issues press releases, and arranges press briefings and conferences, interviews with correctional officers as well as media visits to institutions. It also publicises the Department's up-to-date mission of protecting the public and preventing crime for a better Hong Kong. In this connection, the Unit produces short videos, such as videos featuring the Open Day on 35th Anniversary of renaming as the Correctional Services Department, the Department's exhibition at the Hong Kong Flower Show 2017, a series of real rehabilitation stories, the 800 000th visitor to the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum as well as other activities of the Department. All short videos have been uploaded onto CSD YouTube Channel for public viewing to enhance understanding of our work. In addition, the Unit assists in and advises on the production of publicity items and TV and Radio Announcements in Public Interest, the Department's Annual Review and monthly newsletter, "The Guardian".