Press Release

First job fair provides opportunities for rehabilitated offenders

     The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (August 3) held for the first time a "Give Rehabilitated Offenders A Chance" job fair for inmates who are soon to be released.

     The job fair is jointly organised by the CSD and the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited. Launched at Pik Uk Prison, the job fair provides employment opportunities and assistance to inmates who will be released within three months. The fair can help inmates find jobs before release and enter the job market as soon as they leave the institution. They are then able contribute to society as law-abiding citizens.

     At the same time, business organisations are able to fulfil their social responsibility by providing rehabilitated offenders with equal employment opportunities, while the image of their organisations can also be enhanced. They can help rehabilitated offenders to turn over a new leaf so that crimes in society will eventually be reduced.
    
     Speaking at the launch ceremony, the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin, thanked the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited for its help in mobilising the community's support, calling on employers from the business sector to eliminate misunderstandings about inmates and giving a chance to rehabilitated offenders.

     Mr Sin called on the community to support the work of helping offenders to rehabilitate. He cited examples of employers giving rehabilitated offenders equal employment opportunities.

     The President of the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited, Dr Leung Lun, said: "We have been enhancing public understanding of rehabilitated offenders through organising various publicity and promotional activities. We appeal for public acceptance of rehabilitated offenders and fair employment opportunities given to them so that they can contribute to society as law-abiding citizens."

     Dr Leung said he hoped inmates and rehabilitated offenders could learn from attending the job fair that their days ahead would be brighter if they made an effort and seized the opportunity.
    
     Twenty-six business organisations participated in the job fair, offering a total of 243 jobs in retailing, food and beverage, electrical and mechanical engineering, construction and transportation. A total of 204 job applications have so far been received from 187 inmates. The CSD will arrange for employers to visit correctional institutions in person or to use video conferencing facilities to interview interested inmates.

     Recruitment booths and video conferencing room were set up at Pik Uk Prison today where representatives from 11 caring companies interviewed applicants from the institution and also used video conferencing facilities to interview applicants from Lo Wu Correctional Institution.

Ends/Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:33

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Officiating at the job fair launch ceremony today (August 3) are the Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin (right); the Executive Chairman of the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited, Mr Chan Wing-lim (centre); and the President of the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited, Dr Leung Lun (left).