Press Release

Seminar discusses managing re-offending risks of offenders

     A seminar on advancing risk management of offenders was held today (May 4) to provide a platform for professionals to discuss effective ways in managing the re-offending risks of offenders.

     The seminar, titled "Advancing Risk Management of Offenders: International Wisdom", was co-organised by the Correctional Services Department (CSD) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, it aimed to introduce the principles of best practice in offender risk management and their applications. 

     It highlighted contemporary policy contributing to effective risk management and multi-disciplinary collaboration. In view of the public concern about sexual offences, the seminar focused on sex offenders as well.

     Officiating at the seminar's opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin, emphasised CSD's determination to develop its rehabilitation services by adopting an evidence-based and scientific approach.

     Mr Sin said: "Apart from quality custodial services and comprehensive rehabilitation services for offenders, successful rehabilitation of offenders also depends on offenders' determination and community support. We are glad to have constant collaboration with different community agencies and universities in making the correctional services more comprehensive."

     Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive Director of Charities of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Douglas So, commended CSD for its initiative in developing a set of advanced risk assessment tools for sex offenders in collaboration with CUHK, apart from holding the seminar. He said the concerned project, funded by the Trust, would help identify the risk of recidivism and treatment needs of both adult and young sex offenders.

    In the seminar, the speaker, Dr Karl Hanson, an international expert on risk assessment of sex offenders, presented the latest research findings and development of risk assessment tools for sex offenders as well as the use of these tools in inducing offenders to change and managing their risk.

     Nearly 180 professionals and academics, including 10 delegates from Singapore and Macao, participated in the seminar.

Ends/Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:14

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