Human Resource Management
Correctional Officers serve the community with unanimous values and vision. Human Resource Division is tasked to develop an ethical and professional team through implementing strategic human resource development initiatives and sustainable development plans to prepare for future challenges and achieve the Department’s long-term goals of protecting the public and preventing crime.
Staff Recruitment, Training Development and Going Professional
Since February 2018, the Department has launched year-round recruitment for Assistance Officer II to facilitate staff replenishment not only in a timelier but also even and regular manner over the year in comparison with the past practice of launching one or two recruitment exercises per year. In general, new batch(es) of recruits have been joining CSD and undergoing recruit training every month.
Staff Training Institute (STI) provides 26-week and 23-week residential training to Officer and Assistant Officer II recruits respectively, during which academic subjects covering sociology, criminology, counselling, psychology and relevant laws will be taught, as well as instruction in the professional domains of scenario training, tactical and weapons training, emergency response training and more.
STI also arranges development training for serving staff to equip with necessary skills and job knowledge required for operations and career development needs. In 2018, 266 training courses were conducted for 4 980 staff. Amongst all, respective command courses are designed for Officers up to Superintendents as they rise through the ranks. Refresher courses and duty-related training courses in the fields of institutional operation, nursing and health care, institutional security, rehabilitation and supervision, training and management, escort and support as well as emergency response and control, etc., are also arranged for all serving staff from Assistant Officers II to Principal Officers.
STI has developed an 11-week training programme, namely the “Professional Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics (PCSECT)” featuring not only daily operational skills and knowledge but also modules on tactical instructor training and placement to further strengthen the professional development of trainees on control tactics.
In 2016/17, the first batch of staff completed “Professional Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics (PCSECT)” which has been recognised by Hong Kong Qualifications Framework at Level 4 since June 2016.
To equip potential members of the Regional Response Team with specialised skills to perform the challenging and professional tasks, STI has developed an 11-week training programme, namely the “Professional Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics (PCSECT)” featuring not only daily operational skills and knowledge but also modules on tactical instructor training and placement to further strengthen the professional development of trainees on control tactics. In addition, a six-day training programme on control tactics for frontline officers, namely the “Certificate in Safe and Effective Control Tactics” (CSECT) was designed for frontline staff to enhance their overall competency in handling emergency and the effectiveness of custodial management. Since June 2016, the programmes have been recognised by Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF) at Level 4 (same level of an Associate Degree) and Level 3 (same level of a Diploma) respectively, and graduates will be awarded QF-recognised certificates of respective levels upon completion of programmes. The Department believes that success in gaining accreditation for the training programmes sets a new milestone towards the professional development of staff training.
Given the ever-changing social environment and ever-rising public expectations, CSD is committed to developing knowledge management (KM) to improve the quality of correctional officers, foster continuous learning culture and facilitate succession of experience. The efforts of KM Steering Committee led by Deputy Commissioner, coupled with the support and participation of all staff, have borne fruits in different aspects of KM and gained recognition. CSD won the “Asian Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise (MAKE) Award” in 2017, having clinched earlier the “Top Winner Award” amongst the winners of the “Hong Kong MAKE Award” and “The Best in Knowledge Culture Award”. This year, KM team put emphasis on innovative and interactive initiatives such as “KM News-in-motion Competition” with an aim to promoting sharing of job knowledge by more creative means. Team members were also arranged to participate in “Certified Knowledge Professionals Course” organised by the Knowledge Management and Innovation Research Centre of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to enhance their capabilities in KM development and becoming more professional KM practitioners.
Officers coming from different sections/units shared their work experience with visitors at Education & Careers Expo 2018.
An extensive coverage of career talks are delivered to promote job vacancies and career prospects of CSD.
60th Anniversary of Staff Training Institute
Tactical demonstration by the Regional Response Team during the Open Day of STI.
On 29 September 2018, an Open Day was held for celebrating the 60th Anniversary of STI under the theme “60 Years and Beyond”. To showcase the STI's advancement in various fields of professional training throughout the past 60 years, an exhibition was held for visitors to gain a thorough understanding of the STI's important milestones through exhibition boards, hologram videos and interactive quizzes.
Virtual reality training, a guided scenario training facilities tour and adventure wall climbing were arranged for visitors to experience various types of professional training provided by the Institute. A flammable liquid detector, weapons and anti-riot equipment were also on display. Visitors were able to take photos while wearing simulated anti-riot gear or take part in a physical fitness test to gain an understanding of the entry requirements for Correctional Services staff. A foot drill performance was presented by members of the CSD Guard of Honour. Visitors could also enjoy performances by the Dog Unit and Tactical demonstrations by the Regional Response Team.
The public explored the highlights of recruit training through virtual reality facility during the Open Day of STI.
The public deepened their understanding about the work of CSD through exhibition boards, interactive sessions and anti-riot equipment display, etc.
Staff Relations and Welfare
Staff Relations and Welfare Unit administers the “Correctional Services Department Welfare Fund” to support amenities for staff as well as loans and grants for serving and retired staff, and the “Correctional Services Department Central Fund” to provide group insurance coverage for staff on a voluntary basis.
In 2018, over $1.47 million was granted to 224 recipients under the “Correctional Services Children’s Education Trust”, a financial assistance to children of serving and retired Assistant Officers and equivalent grades in the Department to pursue higher education, and to their disabled children undergoing full-time education or training.
The “Oi Kwan Education Scholarship” founded by the Correctional Services Department Staff Club, granted a scholarship of over $300,000 to 26 staff members who succeeded in upgrading their academic qualifications and 28 children of our staff with outstanding academic results in 2018. Moreover, the “Si Li Ji Ren Foundation” under the Correctional Services Department Staff Club sponsored 26 children of our staff with outstanding achievement in various fields for a 6-day exchange programme in the Mainland in July 2018. Participants deepened their understanding on the social and economic development of the Mainland and experienced the living environment and study conditions of rural children.
“Correctional Services Children’s Education Trust”
Sports Association
The Correctional Services Department Sports Association organizes sports and recreation activities to promote a healthy and balanced lifestyle amongst staff, such as Annual Sports Day and Annual Swimming Gala.
The Correctional Services Department Sports Association organises sports and recreation activities for staff such as Annual Sports Meet, Swimming Gala and10 km Distance Run, etc. In 2018, Honorary Vice-Presidents have been appointed in 22 out of a total of 34 sports teams under CSDSA for a term of 2 years to support the development of the teams and participate in various activities and competitions of theirs.
The Directorate joined Honorary Vice-Presidents and representatives of sports teams under CSDSA for a summer night gathering cum appointment ceremony.
Community services
CSD actively participates in charity and fund-raising events such as Community Chest of Hong Kong’s Corporate and Employee Contribution Programme (CECP) and Walk for Millions. In 2017-18, the Department was presented with the CECP Silver Award, ECP Outstanding Award, Highest Donation Award and Highest Participation Rate Award of Civil Service Category. It also had the Outstanding Walking Team Award in the Walks for Millions and Award of Merit under its belt.
Recognised by the “Caring Organisation Logo” presented by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services since May 2016, the Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited (OKVGL) contributed around 20 000 service hours of voluntary work by around 4 000 volunteers in services such as home visits, cleaning services for the elderly, organising parties for persons with intellectual disabilities, etc. in 2018. OKVGL also provides life planning and education programmes for the youth and ethnic minorities to promote social inclusion.
Oi Kwan Volunteer Group, in collaboration with volunteers of other law enforcement agencies, participated in a series of volunteer activities led by the Chief Executive Office, with an aim to helping cleared up the streets in the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut.
CSD staff contribute to society by active participation in charity and fund-raising events.
Staff Psychological Services (SPS)
Staff Psychological Services (SPS) provides psychological services including psychotherapy and psycho-education materials to staff and their families by Clinical Psychologists (Staff Services), and training to serving staff and new recruits on stress management and work-related psychological topics.
In the aspect of stress management, relaxation element has been further integrated into all refresher courses this year. Starting in April 2018, two sets of tailor-made videos (360˚ and two-dimensional versions) and stress balls have been used as the tools for relaxation training in refresher courses. Stress management training and annual review are also rendered to members of Regional Response Team to equip them with the required psychological qualities.
Adopt illustration of Dandelion to promote positive living attitude.
Staff Administration and Integrity Management
With years of continuous efforts, the Department has been committed to the mission of strengthening the ethical culture amongst staff by Integrity Ambassador Scheme and the setup of Integrity Management Team at institutional level. In 2018, 259 Integrity Ambassadors alongside 22 Integrity Management Teams pursued a wide scope of initiatives to enhance staff’s awareness of personal ethics and promote integrity management at different levels. The new version of the Integrity Management Guidebook was published to incorporate a number of handbooks and manuals for different users into a single informative guidebook for all grades of staff. The Department has been working with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and Civil Service Training and Development Institute (CSTDI) to provide integrity training and anti-corruption talks for new recruits and serving staff. In February 2018, an advanced training course was organised for Senior Officers of Integrity Management Teams to equip them with up-to-date information and deepen their integrity related knowledge.
259 Integrity Ambassadors
22 Integrity Management Teams
With a view to improving service conditions of staff, the Department is actively reviewing conditions of service and related benefits of frontline staff, including the feasibility of alternative shift pattern in different institutions so as to streamline existing shift pattern for enhancing operational efficiency, institutional security and leave arrangement, provision of transportation for staff working at remote stations, and improvement to staff accommodation facilities, etc., so as to enhance staff morale and promote their sense of belonging to correctional work. To follow through the foregoing tasks, the Conditions of Service Sub-unit under the Human Resource Division has been established since June 2018. The Department would also continue to make active deliberation with relevant authorities to seek possible long-term increase of supply in married quarters by strategies such as examining the feasibility of quarters redevelopment for facilitating quarters allotment within a shorter period of time.
New version of Integrity Management Guidebook was published to incorporate a number of handbooks and manuals for different users into a single informative guidebook for all grades of staff.
Professional Exchange
CSD continued to strengthen professional ties with Mainland counterparts with delegations visiting the Tianjin Municipal Prison Administration Bureau, Prison Administration Bureau of Jiangsu Province, and the Judicial Department of Hebei Province in 2018. CSD also made professional exchanges with overseas counterparts by participating in major international conferences and overseas programmes such as the Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators, International Corrections and Prisons Association Conference, Training Programmes of the United Nations Asia and Far East Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders and Australian Correctional Leadership Program, etc., with an aim to diversifying the exposures of staff for better succession planning and benchmarking best practices amongst counterparts towards professionalism and excellence in our services.
Departmental delegation attended the “38th Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators (APCCA)” in Melaka, Malaysia.
Departmental delegation attended the “20th Annual Conference of ICPA” in Montreal, Canada.
