Press Release

CSD and Society for the Aged co-organise volunteer work for young persons in custody (with photos)

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) and Hong Kong Society for the Aged (the Society) today (January 5) jointly held a volunteer activity for young persons in custody called "Trim and Growth", which involved cutting seniors' hair for free at Chai Wan District Elderly Community Centre.

     The CSD invited well-known Asia hair maestro Kim Robinson and his team, together with young persons in custody at Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, to cut the seniors' hair as a way of expressing concern for the elderly and supporting the
rehabilitation work of the young persons in custody through action.

     Attending the event were the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin; the Vice-Chairman of the Society, Dr Ng Nam; and special guest Dr Irene Tang.

     Mr Robinson and his team taught the young persons in custody how to improve their hair-trimming skills. He also shared some of his life experiences with them and spoke about having a correct attitude in life.

     He said that cutting hair is generally seen as simply changing someone's appearance, but today's special event proved that cutting hair could encourage various sectors of society to use action to promote inclusiveness, respect the elderly and accept the repentance of young persons in custody.

     Mr Robinson added that the young persons in custody must not give up, should repent for their mistakes and equip themselves for reintegration into society. In this way, they could embrace the positive energy of the "Trim and Growth" activity.

     The participating persons in custody belong to the 221st Hong Kong Group of the Scout Association Hong Kong district and are undergoing hair design training.

     The CSD provides market-oriented vocational training for young persons in custody. Apart from training in hair design, there are also vocational training courses in construction, commerce and service industries, which help them to gain accredited qualifications, motivate them to learn more, boost their confidence in finding work or continuing their studies, and reduce their chance of going astray again.

     To strengthen young persons in custody moral cultivation and responsibility towards society, the department has arranged for them to participate in various volunteer activities to contribute to society and unleash their potential so as to enhance their determination to repent.

     These volunteer activities include marching band performances, visiting the elderly and gardening.

     The venue for today's event was the same place where the young persons in custody usually perform their volunteer work - trimming hair for senior citizens.

     The CSD also actively encourages its staff to participate in volunteer work during their leisure time and use their professional skills to care for and help the needy, so as to help build an inclusive and caring society. Some staff members volunteered to take part in today's activity.

Ends/Sunday, January 5, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:41

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The Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin (centre) and Asia hair maestro Kim Robinson (second right) with other guests at the Correctional Services Department's "Trim and Growth" volunteer activity at the Hong Kong Society for the Aged Chai Wan District Elderly Community Centre today (January 5).

Mr Robinson trims the hair of one of the elderly participants.

Mr Robinson trims the hair of one of the elderly participants and changes her appearance.

Mr Robinson (second left) demonstrates the hair-trimming skills for the benefit of young persons in custody of Cape Collinson Correctional Institution.

Mr Robinson (first left) and his team members cut hair for the elderly people to show care for them and support the rehabilitation of young persons in custody.