Press Release

Young persons in custody at Pik Uk Correctional Institution attain good examination results

Young persons in custody (PICs) at Pik Uk Correctional Institution (PUCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (December 5) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 68 young PICs at PUCI sat various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the City and Guilds International examinations, the Cambridge English Examinations and the General Aptitude Putonghua Shuiping Kaoshi, and obtained vocational certificates covering subjects such as Food and Beverage Services, Cantonese Cooking, Multimedia Design, Building Services, and Laundry Skill organised by the SideBySide, Christian Action, the Construction Industry Council, and the Vocational Training Council. During the year, the PICs attained nine merits out of 121 certificates obtained. In the ceremony today, 38 young PICs were presented with 77 certificates, of which eight merits were attained.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sik Sik Yuen (SSY), Mr Lai Chak-sum, said that SSY is fully supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and set up the Sik Sik Yuen - Care and Rehabilitation Education Fund in March 2023 with the aim of providing subsidies to needy PICs to pursue continuing education and vocational training. He encouraged PICs to unleash their potentials in different areas and actively equip themselves, with a view to leveraging their strengths to contribute to the community in the future.

During the ceremony, volunteer tutor and saxophonist Timothy Sun partnered with a band composed of PICs to stage a music performance, hoping to convey gratitude to their family members and correctional officers for their support in the course of rehabilitation.

In the sharing session, a young PIC expressed gratitude for his mother's unwavering support as well as the guidance and encouragement from correctional officers, which have helped him get back on his feet to not only study diligently and sit the HKDSE but also cultivate his interest in music composition. His mother also shared the happiness of witnessing the positive changes in her son, and appreciated correctional officers for walking hand in hand with her son on the path to rehabilitation, helping him turn over a new leaf.

Also attending the ceremony were representatives of non-governmental and community organisations, community leaders and family members of the certificate recipients.

PUCI has a capacity of 385 penal places for young male remand and sentenced PICs. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for young PICs to help them rehabilitate and prepare for their reintegration into society.

Ends/Thursday, December 5, 2024
Issued at HKT 15:48