Press Release

Persons in custody obtain certificates in timberwork and Chinese restaurant skills

     Twenty-five persons in custody who completed the Timber Formwork Skill Course and the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course at Tong Fuk Correctional Institution were presented with certificates today (August 27) in recognition of their efforts.

     Officiating at the presentation ceremony, member of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders (CCSRO) Mr Edwin Cheng said that it is a rather difficult task to carry out rehabilitation work and appeal for community acceptance of rehabilitated offenders. Mr Cheng added that throughout the years the Correctional Services Department (CSD) has spared no effort in undertaking publicity and public education activities to enhance community support and acceptance for rehabilitated offenders. He said he was also pleased to note that the community has gradually recognised and accepted rehabilitated offenders, and that the CSD has moved forward from the custodial era to place equal importance on custody and rehabilitation.

     He said that rehabilitated offenders need great courage as well as support from the community to succeed in getting on the road to rehabilitation. A steady job and employment opportunities are of crucial importance in fostering their determination to turn over a new leaf, he added. With these aims in mind, the CSD offers various market-oriented vocational training courses, and the Timber Formwork Skill Course and the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course are two successful examples. Mr Cheng said he anticipates that trainees would get the chance to demonstrate what they have learned upon release and work for their own future.

     The CSD's Superintendent (Vocational Training), Ms Yeung Yin-miu, thanked the CCSRO for their efforts in pursuing the long-term goal of gaining community support for rehabilitated offenders by giving them valuable advice on rehabilitation programmes as well as reintegration and job application strategies. She noted that three local non-Chinese trainees had attended and completed the Timber Formwork Skill Course. The CSD encourages local eligible persons in custody of all ethnic groups to apply for vocational training courses so that they can obtain qualifications equivalent to those awarded outside custodial institutions, thus facilitating their smooth reintegration into society upon their release.

     Among the graduates is Ah Ming (false name), who will be released this year. Ah Ming completed the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course and was awarded the certificate. He said he would work in his parents' Chinese restaurant so as to lessen their burden and not squander what he learned in the course. He also took the opportunity to appeal for support for rehabilitated persons.

     Another person in custody, Stephen (false name), who is of non-Chinese ethnicity, passed the Timber Formwork Skill Course. He thanked the trainer of the Construction Industry Council and staff of the CSD for their encouragement and support that gave him strength to pass the tests and obtain the Intermediate Trade Test Certificate - Carpenter. He said he would not disappoint his family again and would try to find a job in the construction sector in view of the favourable work situation.

     The CSD offers more than 30 market-oriented vocational training courses for persons in custody covering construction, engineering, food and beverage, retail, business, tourism, beauty care, logistics, laundry services, information technology, environmental services, health care and transport to enhance their professional skills and assist in their reintegration into society.

Ends/Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:08

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Tong Fuk Correctional Institution today (August 27) held a certificate presentation ceremony for persons in custody who completed the Timber Formwork Skill Course and the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course. Photo shows member of the Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Mr Edwin Cheng (left) presenting a certificate to a person in custody.

A person in custody who completed the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course demonstrates cooking skills.

A person in custody who completed the Chinese Cookery and Chinese Restaurant Service Certificate Course demonstrates cooking skills.

Persons in custody who completed the Timber Formwork Skill Course demonstrate how to build a pavilion.