CSD holds passing-out parade (with photos)
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The Correctional Services Department (CSD) held a passing-out parade at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Academy today (April 25). Mr Richard Tang reviewed the parade, marking the graduation of 20 Officers and 91 Assistant Officers II.
At the parade, the CSD Guard of Honour and passing-out correctional officers assembled to form the abbreviation of the Department, “CSD”, and a heart pattern during a foot drill demonstration, symbolising their devotion to Hong Kong and readiness to shoulder the CSD’s mission of guarding the last element of the criminal justice system.
Speaking at the parade, Reviewing Officer Mr Tang said that the CSD shoulders the missions of safeguarding national security and social stability. The CSD has long been committed to adopting a secure, safe and humane approach in detaining persons in custody (PICs), and has introduced a number of measures to optimise management effectiveness and bring convenience to the public, such as the implementation of the Approved Hand-in Articles e-Ordering Service which enables visitors to order approved hand-in articles for PICs through an online platform. The Service reduces the time for visitors to source the articles in the market and the inconvenience of carrying the articles to correctional institutions, as well as enhances the operational efficiency of correctional institutions.
Mr Tang commended the CSD for actively launching new initiatives in the area of rehabilitation work to assist PICs to turn over a new leaf and reintegrate into society, including organising a two-year full-time Associate Degree programme for graduates of the Ethics College, extending the Ethics College to Pik Uk Prison and launching Project JET to provide one-stop training and career development opportunities for PICs. Moreover, the Department has actively promoted crime prevention education. Through the Rehabilitation Pioneer Project and the Captain Gor Union, the CSD is committed to instilling in young people correct values and nurturing them into a new generation of law-abiding young people with an affection for the country.
He mentioned that the CSD has actively fostered collaboration with Mainland and overseas correctional institutions. The Department hosted the 42nd Asian and Pacific Conference of Correctional Administrators last year, playing the role of an international link. The Department organised the first Greater Bay Area Correctional Services Tactical Skills Competition in January this year and plans to provide tactical skills training courses at the Hong Kong Correctional Services Response Tactics Training Base for correctional officers on the Mainland and overseas, with a view to deepening exchanges among correctional institutions, making its best endeavours to tell good correctional stories and to tell good stories of Hong Kong.
Furthermore, the CSD is committed to the community and cares for the vulnerable. The Correctional Services Department Sports Association launched an online gift sales platform for charity called Made in Prison early this year to sell handicrafts made by PICs. All proceeds from the sale, after deducting necessary costs, will be donated to local registered charitable organisations, thereby providing PICs with opportunities to contribute to society.
Mr Tang encouraged the passing-out correctional officers to become new forces of correctional officers who are staunchly devoted to their duties and who contribute wholeheartedly to Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability as well as to the steadfast and successful implementation of the “one country, two systems”.
During the parade, Mr Tang presented the Principal’s Shield to Officer Mr Chu Yan-ching; and the Golden Whistle to four Assistant Officers II, namely Ms Lee Wing-yan, Mr Tsang Hou-sing, Mr Mok Pak-kin and Mr Ng Chiu-kit, for their outstanding performance in recruit training.