Press Releases

Kwun Tong Probation Hostel off list of approved institutions

        The Kwun Tong Probation Hostel (KTPH) will be removed from the list of approved institutions under the Probation of Offenders Ordinance, a spokesman for the Health, Welfare and Food Bureau said today (May 19).

        The hostel is scheduled to close for operation by the end of June.

        KTPH, currently run by the Social Welfare Department (SWD), is one of the three approved institutions which provides residential services to young probationers with daily living care and supervision, employment guidance and emotional support in social rehabilitation.

        "After a critical review of the effectiveness of KTPH, the SWD considers that the hostel's services should be dispersed to the non-governmental sector for enhancing effectiveness," the spokesman said.

        Over the past four years, the majority of residents are unemployed youth aged between 16 and 18. Due to physical limitations, it was not possible to provide more comprehensive services in KTPH to enrich the probationers' job-related skills. This situation is unsatisfactory.

        "With a view to assisting the probationers' re-integration into the society upon discharge, it is important to give them practical assistance by strengthening their job-related skills and helping them overcome limitations in starting and maintaining a work life. The necessary comprehensive services could best be provided by the non-governmental sector.

        "Having carefully assessed the individual merits of existing non-governmental organisations providing residential services and employment assistance to young offenders, it is considered that Youth Outreach is best placed to take over the services of KTPH.

        "Youth Outreach has already in place a series of comprehensive employment programmes to provide employment support and actual job opportunities to the young probationers. It possesses the necessary experience and facilities for service expansion, and they would be able to enhance the services for the relevant probationers to meet their re-integration needs," the spokesman said.

        In anticipation of the KTPH closure, the Probation of Offenders (Approved Institution) (Amendment) Order 2004 will be made to remove the hostel from the list of approved institutions specified in the law. The amendment order will be published in the Government Gazette on Friday (May 21) and tabled at the Legislative Council on June 2.

Ends/Wednesday, May 19, 2004

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