Press Release

Young inmates participate in the last HKCEE

     Young inmates obtained satisfactory results in this year's last Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) as private candidates, the Assistant Commissioner (Rehabilitation) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD), Mr Lee Sheung, said today (August 4).

     Commenting on the results, Mr Lee said education provided by the CSD could help young inmates further their studies or find jobs after release and re-integrate into society.

     A total of 12 young inmates from the Pik Uk, Cape Collinson and Lai King correctional institutions took 74 examination papers in the HKCEE 2011. They achieved one distinction, five credits and 44 passes and the pass rate was 67.6 per cent.

     The main subjects included Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Commerce, Economics, Travel and Tourism, and Integrated Humanities.

     Mr Lee said employment was one of the hurdles inmates encountered after release, but with academic qualifications, they stood a better chance of competing for jobs.

     "In addition to inmates' own effort, family support has also contributed to inmates' good results and is vital in their process of rehabilitation," he stressed. 

     "The CSD is committed to providing every opportunity for inmates to equip themselves academically and assisting them to attain accredited qualifications. We also work closely with our partners in the community to offer them market-oriented vocational training for their smooth re-integration into the community. As HKCEE 2011 was conducted for the last cohort of private candidates, we have implemented the New Senior Secondary curriculum to help inmates prepare for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2012 and later," he said.

     Mr Lee encouraged inmates to keep up their efforts, because although they were in correctional institutions, they had the same opportunities and potential as others in attaining good results. 

     He also called on the public to give inmates and rehabilitated offenders equal opportunities and accept their re-integration into society with open hearts.

     The department provides half-day compulsory education programmes and half-day vocational training for young offenders under the age of 2l. Guidance and assistance are in place for adult offenders who participate in studies on a voluntary basis.

Ends/Thursday, August 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 17:37

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While presenting the Results Notice to a young inmate, the Superintendent of Cape Collinson Correctional Institution, Mr Hui Cho-hang, encourages him to continue his efforts.