Correctional Services Department 2021 Annual Review

Although the COVID-19 epidemic levelled off in 2021, all correctional officers remained vigilant and committed to duties to maintain a secure safety net for the custodial environment.

In addition to the continual application of advanced anti-epidemic technologies and equipment to frequently disinfect and cleanse premises under the charge of the CSD, the institutional management also kept taking a series of anti-epidemic measures, including providing sufficient personal protective equipment, conducting virus testing on persons in custody upon admission and arranging for them to undergo isolation and observation, in order to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus and safeguard the health of staff and persons in custody.

The Department has also installed ultra-violet lights in the official visit rooms as appropriate, with a view to reducing the chance of virus infection among frontline staff, persons in custody and other users.

During the epidemic, the CSD arranged all staff to undergo regular COVID-19 testing. Within 2021, a total of 16 rounds of testing were conducted for more than 19 000 participants, the results of which were all negative.

In February 2021, the Government launched the territory-wide COVID-19 Vaccination Programme under which CSD staff were identified as one of the priority groups and hence arranged to receive vaccination during specific time slots at designated Community Vaccination Centres (CVCs). To facilitate staff members to receive vaccination while maintaining the normal operation of institutions, the Department specially arranged transport for staff between institutions and CVCs.

To tie in with the Government’s anti-epidemic efforts, the vaccination in lieu of regular testing (VRT) arrangement was implemented for specific groups of frontline CSD staff who have frequent and close contact with members of the public in the course of duty, or those who are subject to higher risk of infection (including staff members of the Escort and Support Group, Departmental Transport Office, Rehabilitation Section, Security Section, Hospital, Works Section, Reception Office and Visit Room) on 31 May 2021. From then onwards, those staff members who have not received the first dose of vaccine were required to undergo testing for COVID-19 using combined nasal and throat swabs (CNTS) on a bi-weekly basis.

The above arrangement was expanded to cover all CSD staff (including civil servants, non-civil service contract staff and post-retirement service contract staff) with effect from 19 July 2021. From 1 September 2021 onwards, save for those who are unfit to receive COVID-19 vaccination as evidenced by a valid medical certificate, all CSD staff who have not received the first dose of vaccine were required to take a CNTS test at any Community Testing Centres once every 2 weeks outside working hours and pay for these tests at their own expenses, and to submit their test results to the management.

As at 31 December 2021, over 98 per cent of correctional officers got vaccinated.

The Department selects qualified candidates with aspirations to join correctional services through a stringent recruitment process, and provides them with professional training, so as to build a team of well-trained, highly-motivated and well-disciplined members.

The Staff Training Institute (STI) of the CSD is responsible for planning and organising training programmes to equip staff with professional job knowledge so that they can fulfil the Mission, Vision and Values of the Department. The STI organises a wide range of training programmes that newly-recruited Officers and Assistant Officers are required to undergo 26 weeks and 23 weeks of recruit training respectively, which covers operational knowledge, virtual reality (VR) and on-site scenario training, tactical training, field placement at correctional institutions, national security education and integrity management etc. The STI also regularly organises professional development training courses such as refresher courses, duty-related training courses, professional management training and command courses, etc. to enhance work efficiency of staff members and facilitate their career development. In 2021, the STI organised a total of 185 training courses for around 3 000 staff members.

In recent years, the CSD has been actively implementing “Smart Training”, with a view to enhancing professionalism and efficiency of the training provided by the STI, and cultivating knowledge-based correctional officers with the application of innovation and technology.

The STI has designed a 3-tier Teaching and Learning Framework. Tier 1 is “Interactive Classroom Training”, which converts traditional classrooms into e-classrooms to enhance interactive teaching.

Tier 2 is “Bridging Scenario Training”, which allows trainees to apply knowledge and job skills they have learnt during lessons through VR training, e-theatre and tabletop exercises.

As for Tier 3 “Scenario Training”, the STI plans to incorporate different “Smart Prison” elements into the existing scenario training facilities in the STI and Ma Hang Prison to enable trainees to undergo training in simulated institutional settings. Besides, the STI has further developed its Tier 3 training into the newly introduced “Cross Scenario Training”, under which serving staff of various sections are arranged to team up with trainees to undergo scenario training in Cape Collison Correctional Institution. By accomplishing different tasks in a real setting, the trainees can learn from the serving staff on the spot. Such a contemporary mode of training brings tremendous benefits to trainees undergoing recruit or development training.

As for the application of innovation and technology, the newly designed “e-STI” app serves as an interactive communication platform, through which not only can trainees browse the latest information about the STI, their personal learning progress, assessment results and other learning information, they can also initiate online discussion with the teaching staff and other trainees outside the classroom.

Training through the use of innovation and technology has received overwhelming responses from trainees. This “modern training base” enables trainees to get equipped with various types of knowledge and tactics and to be capable to handle unforeseen incidents in institutions head-on with no fear.

To enhance professionalism and recognition of training programmes organised by the STI, four of its training programmes have been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) at Level 3 to 5 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF).

Following the recognition by HKCAAVQ as a HKQF Level 4 operator in 2019, the STI has been revamping and optimising its programmes, and established a mechanism to ensure the quality of its programmes. In July 2021, the STI was accredited by HKCAAVQ as a Level 5 operator, which allows the STI to offer accredited training programmes at HKQF Level 5 (equivalent to a local Bachelor’s Degree) or below. As regards recruit training, newly recruited Assistant Officers II will be awarded “Professional Diploma in Correctional Services” at HKQF Level 4 upon completion of the recruit training. Besides, since July 2021, newly recruited Officers have been awarded “Professional Diploma in Correctional Management” at HKQF Level 5 upon completion of the recruit training.

Since 2018, the Department has been granted the Hong Kong Most Innovative Knowledge Enterprise (MIKE) Award and the Global MIKE Award for 4 consecutive years.

Besides, to equip staff with better knowledge and skills for managing young persons in custody under different rehabilitation programmes, a new training programme entitled “Professional Certificate in Young Person-in-Custody Management”, which is pitched at HKQF Level 4 (equivalent to an associate degree or a higher diploma), has been jointly organised by the CSD and the Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education under the Hong Kong Metropolitan University. Incorporated with the past training elements adopted by the training centres, rehabilitation centres, detention centre and drug addiction treatment centres, the programme covers multiple topics such as mental health and criminal behaviours of young people, the management of young persons in custody and counselling skills, etc. To encourage continuous learning and self-enhancement, staff members, upon completion of the programme, can be granted credit exemptions when applying for other relevant degree or associate degree programmes offered by Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

To prepare for the full implementation of Chinese-style foot drill in the Department, the CSD has arranged for the staff of the STI and the members of the Department’s Guard of Honour to receive Chinese-style foot drill training provided by the Chinese PLA Garrison since late 2020. The training has gradually been extended to cover staff of other teams such as those of the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project (RPP) and the Regional Response Team (RRT). Since July 2021, all new recruits have begun to receive Chinese-style foot drill training. From October 2021 onwards, the CSD has provided 1-day and 5-day Chinese-style foot drill training courses for staff members from institutions progressively. The first batch of staff attending the courses were those working in the institutions for young persons in custody.

The HRD has launched the “Project NOVA” to assist non-ethnic Chinese (NEC) youths in life planning in a systematic way through various activities, including visits to the STI, career interview workshops and physical fitness activities, etc. The project aims to assist NEC youths in developing positive values, planning their life paths, tackling difficulties in job searching and preparing them for future studies or employment. Besides, NEC youths are encouraged to apply for vacancies of the Department and other disciplined services, enabling them to contribute to the society and promoting inclusive values. In 2021, 6 NEC persons applying for vacancies of the CSD were recruited, with 1 recruited as Officer and the other 5 recruited as Assistant Officer II.

In 2021, clinical psychologists of Staff Psychological Services continued to provide training on “Resilience Building” to new recruits with an aim to enhance their resilience and ability to handle adversity, and on relaxation techniques and knowledge to strengthen their stress management ability. During the year, 9 episodes of audio dramas “Hearty Stories” and a psychological guidebook “Mind Tour” were produced. With simple contents and lively presentation, they help bring into the daily lives of readers positive psychology and mindfulness.

In 2021, through the appointment of 342 Integrity Ambassadors and 22 Integrity Management Teams, the Department continued to organise a wide range of activities to enhance staff’s awareness of personal ethics and promote integrity management at different levels. The Department has maintained close collaboration with the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Civil Service College in organising regular integrity training and anti-corruption talks for its new recruits and in-service staff. In addition, since January 2021, the Department has launched a series of video talks delivered by training officers to refresh staff’s memory of the integrity-related legislation and knowledge in a humourous manner.

To ensure that the grade structures and remuneration of the disciplined services are effective in attracting and retaining talent, the Government invited the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCDS) to carry out a grade structure review (GSR) for the disciplined services in October 2018. The SCDS completed the GSR and submitted a report in June 2021. In September 2021, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved the adjustments to the relevant salaries and increments.

In view of the unique working environment of the Department as well as the extra duties performed by institutional hospital staff, the Civil Service Bureau, on the recommendation of the SCDS, approved the introduction of 2 new job-related allowances (JRAs) with effect from August 2021. The 2 new JRAs include 1 for personnel regularly working in an enclosed and isolated environment, and another for officers who perform nursing support duties regularly in institutional hospitals. They provide compensation for the following 2 categories of officers respectively: frontline officers deployed to perform duties regularly in an isolated environment due to operational needs who cannot use personal electronic devices and have to endure persistent social isolation; and institutional hospital staff with the necessary qualifications who are required to perform additional nursing support duties on top of their custodial duties.

As some of the correctional institutions are located in remote areas where public transport services are inadequate, the CSD provides transport for correctional staff between designated locations and the relevant correctional institutions, thereby reducing their commute time, and also arranges vessels at night for staff who work in Hei Ling Chau. The CSD will, having regard to the availability of public transport to correctional institutions, continue to discuss with the Government Logistics Department with a view to appropriately extending the arrangement of providing transport service for correctional staff commuting to and from work.

Correctional officers have all along been working with dedication to guard the last element of Hong Kong’s criminal justice system. In the event of emergencies, they respond promptly to challenges with remarkable resilience and through flexible deployment of resources. No matter inside or outside correctional institutions, correctional officers remain steadfast in duties and are always ready to serve selflessly through assuming different roles in the community.

When the epidemic was rampaging through the city in the beginning of the year, correctional officers displayed unswerving devotion to serving the community through active participation in the anti-epidemic work. In January and February 2021, the CSD deployed a large number of correctional officers to the specified “restricted areas” in Jordan, Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long, etc. to assist the Government in arranging residents to undergo compulsory COVID-19 testing. Splitting into different teams, correctional officers stood guard and conducted patrols in different locations within the restricted areas while some assisted residents to undergo testing in an orderly manner. A number of correctional officers from Thailand, Nepal, India and Pakistan were deployed to support the ethnic minority residents in the areas, including explaining the detailed arrangements and answering enquiries. With the concerted efforts of government officers and the cooperation of local residents, the compulsory testing operations were carried out successfully.

When Hong Kong was plagued by incessant large-scale riots in 2019, a group of correctional officers, with a strong sense of commitment to society, put themselves in the front line and volunteered to be the first batch of Special Constables to assist the Police in guarding Hong Kong beyond their normal work places. They mainly came from the RRT and were deployed to guard government premises, assist in anti-riot operations, and handle emergencies, etc. Throughout the year, they kept joining hands with the Police to maintain law and order.

CSD staff are committed to contributing to the society by actively participating in charitable fund-raising events. In 2020-21, in recognition of CSD’s proactive efforts in the fulfilment of social responsibility and enthusiastic participation in public welfare affairs, the Department was awarded the Community Chest’s Silver Award for Corporate and Employee Contribution Programme, the Ninth Top Donor Award, the Highest Donation Award and the Highest Participation Rate Award in the Civil Service Category of the Community Assistance Raised by Employees Scheme. In addition, in recognition of its commitment to caring for the community, employees and the environment over the years, the Oi Kwan Volunteer Group Limited (OKVGL) had been awarded the “Caring Organisation” Logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service for 6 consecutive years from 2016 to 2021. Despite the rampant epidemic in 2021, the OKVGL co-organised various volunteer activities with different organisations, including distributing anti-epidemic supplies to grassroots citizens and the elderly in Sham Shui Po district, and deploying volunteers to pack and distribute anti-epidemic goodies bags for the Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association (HKEAA), etc. Working together in unison, our volunteers also visited the elderly residing in Tai Po, Sham Shui Po and Southern districts, sharing with them anti-epidemic information and distributing anti-epidemic supplies in a bid to fight the battle against the virus with the public.

Volunteers of the OKVGL also served at the “Exhibition on 100 Years of Chinese Scientists” and the “Thematic Exhibition on the Centenary Founding of the Communist Party of China”, assisting in crowd control, maintaining order and answering enquiries from visitors. Through serving the community during their spare time, the volunteers have gained a better understanding of the national development and also brought more positive energy into the society and promoted the meaning and fun of volunteer work.

The HRD has implemented a programme entitled “Along with CSD” since 2019. Through a series of recruitment promotion exercises, sports activities and community services organised by the HRD, Correctional Services Department Sports Association (CSDSA) and OKVGL, members of the public could have a better understanding of and give greater recognition to the professionalism, visions and values of the CSD.

In addition, the comprehensive and diversified activities under the programme also provide a platform for CSD staff to strengthen their cohesion among themselves, and offer opportunities for them to unleash their potential. Using their spare time to create life-on-life impact, CSD staff can further contribute to the society, which in turn enhances their satisfaction and sense of belonging, thus becoming an active and caring disciplined force full of positive energy.

With the gradual easing of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Department resumed arrangement for local and ethnic minority secondary students from different external organisations such as The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon, CCC Rotary Secondary School, youth corps under the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Volunteer Corps and the Y. Elites Association to visit the STI and correctional institutions under the “Along with CSD” programme in the fourth quarter of 2021. In addition, the programme organised a series of activities, including an STI event co-organised by the Orienteering Group under CSDSA and the Kwai Tsing District Junior Police Call in August 2021, which provided physical training to students voluntarily. The Cycling Group under CSDSA also co-organised a MIP activity with the RPP in November 2021 to enhance students’ understanding of CSD’s missions, correctional services and recruitment procedures.