Press Release

Commissioner of Correctional Services bids farewell

     The Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, today (September 16) officiated at the Passing-out and Commissioner's Farewell Parade. He inspected 23 Correctional Officers and 114 Correctional Assistant Officers II who completed their training courses lasting from 23 to 26 weeks.

     Following is the speech by Mr Kwok:

Distinguished guests, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

     I am honoured to be here today as the Inspecting Officer of a passing-out parade of the Staff Training Institute.

     Starting from next Monday, I will proceed on pre-retirement leave.  Before leaving the Correctional Services Department (CSD) that I have served for nearly 37 years, it gives me an additional sense of honour to meet and inspect the new passing-out members. Indeed, it is also a great comfort to me.

     First of all, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the passing-out members.  After months of comprehensive training, you have passed all the assessments and graduated from the Staff Training Institute.  Congratulations are also due to the parents, family members and friends of the graduates here today.  With your wholehearted support and care, they have overcome all the challenges and successfully completed an important phase in their life.  Just like you, I am glad and delighted to see the passing-out members in high spirits.  As Commissioner of Correctional Services, I am proud to see that the fresh blood of the department is well-prepared to discharge its duties with vigour, dedication and confidence.

     I remember that when I graduated from the Staff Training Institute 30-odd years ago, the department was still known as the Prisons Department.  At that time, the department was generally perceived as a mysterious and closed place and there were stories about untoward incidents happening in prisons.  With the passing of time, the department now attaches dual importance to correctional and rehabilitation work.  With the remarkable progress made in the custodial and rehabilitative services, we have gained community support and trust as well as international recognition.  The department has undergone a significant change, from the then Prisons Department working within prison perimeters to a government department that has been awarded the "Caring Organisation Logo" by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service.  Actually, this change is the fruit of the leadership of the former Commissioners as well as the collaborative efforts and commitment of the entire staff.  I am really proud to be a member of this wonderful team to witness the change.

     Passing-out members, you are the best new blood carefully selected by the CSD.  I am sure that you are well-prepared and confident to fulfill your aspirations and embark on your career.  However, just like me when I first joined the department, you may be slightly perplexed about the people and things that you are going to encounter.  My advice to you is that by trying your best to serve the department with dedication, and upholding the values of the CSD, i.e., "integrity", "professionalism", "humanity", "discipline" and "perseverance", you can certainly discharge your duties efficiently.

     On leaving the CSD, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all colleagues and friends for your staunch support and encouragement over the years.  It gives me great contentment to have the opportunity to work with such a professional team of dedicated colleagues in this caring department.  I take pride in being a member of the CSD.

     Last but not least, I wish the passing-out members every success in the days to come.  For the distinguished guests and colleagues, I wish all of you the very best of health and happiness.

     Thank you very much.

Ends/Thursday, September 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:35

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Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, inspects the parade.

Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, presents the Best Recruit Award, the Principal's Shield, to Ms Cheung Ho-yee at the passing-out parade.

Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, presents the Best Recruit Award, the Golden Whistle, to Mr Leung Yick-san at the passing-out parade. 

Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Kwok Leung-ming, presents the Best Recruit Award, the Golden Whistle, to Ms Cheung Hing-man at the passing-out parade.