Young Offenders

Prisoners aged under 21 are detained separately from adult prisoners. In
1997, 625 young men and 469 young women were sentenced to
imprisonment, and 779 young men and 155 young women were received
for custody on remand. Young persons aged between 14 and 20, who are
convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment, may be remanded in
custody for a period not exceeding three weeks for assessment of their
suitability for admission to a training centre or, for males, a detention
centre. For the detention centre, young adults aged between 21 and 24
may also be so remanded. A comprehensive report, together with the
appropriate recommendations, will then be forwarded to the courts
concerned. In 1997, 6 937 offenders were remanded for suitability
reports, and the selection board deemed 3 790 - 3 367 males and 423
females - suitable for admission to a training centre or the detention
centre.

Training centres provide correctional training for young offenders for
periods ranging from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three
years. They attend half-day educational classes and receive half-day
vocational training. They also receive character development training in
the form of scouting/guiding, Hong Kong Young People Award activities
and Outward Bound training. On Sundays and public holidays, visits to
youth centres, factories, sports centres and country parks are arranged
for inmates nearing discharge to provide additional educational and
training opportunities and to prepare them for re-integration into society.
Upon release, inmates must have suitable employment or a place in
school, and will be subject to a statutory period of supervision of three
years.

In 1997, 209 young males and 33 young females were sentenced to
detention in training centres, while 101 young male offenders and 21
young female offenders were recalled for further training for breach of
supervision conditions. After being discharged from training centres,
59 per cent of the male offenders and 91 per cent of the female offenders
completed the three-year supervision without reconviction.

An effective detention centre programme is carried out at Sha Tsui
Detention Centre for young offenders aged between 14 and 20 years, and
young adults aged between 21 and 24. It emphasises strict discipline,
strenuous training, hard work and a vigorous routine. After release,
detainees are subject to a statutory supervision period of one year. During
1997, 216 young offenders completed the supervision and 205 were not
reconvicted during the period - a success rate of 95 per cent.

Young male offenders identified as having special needs are, on discharge
from a training centre or the detention centre, housed at Phoenix House
for up to three months before they are permitted to live at home or in
other places while they continue to receive after-care supervision.

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