Press Release

CSD stages drama to promote anti-crime and rehabilitation messages 

     More than 400 secondary students, teachers and social workers from 16 schools today (March 3) took part in a student forum under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project organised by the Correctional Services Department (CSD).

     Using the format of a "Forum Theatre", the participants explored problems faced by rehabilitated offenders while returning to the community and shared information on rehabilitation.

     Officiating at the opening of the forum, the Vice Patron of the Community Chest of Hong Kong and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Travel Agents, Dr Dennis Sun, said, "The theatre forum enables the students to take up role play on the stage and discuss through interactive exchanges the price paid for committing crime and the ill effects of taking drugs. Putting oneself into such a situation allows the students to reflect on choices and struggles in life."

     He added, "Through face-to-face discussion at the forum, a rehabilitated offender may share with the students his determination and changes in the course of rehabilitation. This is a valuable opportunity for the students to understand how rehabilitated offenders prepare themselves while in custody for reintegration into society."

     Participating students said the theatre format helped them better understand the serious consequences of taking drugs, as well as rehabilitated persons' efforts and difficulties in reintegrating into society and their desire to be accepted by the community. The seminar enabled the students to look at persons in custody from other perspectives, as well as understand the importance of supporting rehabilitation and the significance and meaning of social harmony. During the sharing session, a rehabilitated offender talked about the price he had paid for committing crime and the process of rehabilitation. The event also reinforced the message of abiding by the law.

     The CSD has been conducting the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project, which includes meet-the-persons in custody sessions, visits to the Hong Kong Correctional Services Museum and public education talks, since 2008 to spread the messages of leading a law-abiding, drug-free life and supporting the rehabilitation of offenders. The Project has incorporated various moral and civic education-related activities allowed within the "Other Learning Experiences" of the New Senior Secondary curriculum since December 2012.

Ends/Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:18

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More than 400 secondary students, teachers and social workers from 16 schools today (March 3) took part in a student forum under the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project organised by the Correctional Services Department. Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Yau Chi-chiu (front left), and the Vice Patron of the Community Chest of Hong Kong and Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Travel Agents, Dr Dennis Sun (front right),officiate at the opening ceremony.

Using the format of a "Forum Theatre", the forum enables the students to understand the ill effects of taking drugs and the price paid for committing crime .

The theatre forum enables the students to take up role play on the stage and discuss through interactive exchanges the price paid for committing crime and the ill effects of taking drugs. Putting oneself into such a situation allows the students to reflect on choices and struggles in life.

Through face-to-face discussion at the forum, a rehabilitated offender shares with the students his determination and changes in the course of rehabilitation.