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Over the years Hong Kong has developed an internationally acclaimed correctional system, which places increasing emphasis on correction and rehabilitation of persons in custody. The Correctional Services Department (CSD) runs a comprehensive range of rehabilitation programmes targeting different types of persons in custody such as young offenders, drug dependants, first-time offenders and recidivists.

With an establishment of 6 899 staff, CSD manages 29 correctional facilities comprising correctional institutions, half-way houses and custodial wards of public hospitals. The correctional institutions include minimum, medium and maximum security prisons, a psychiatric centre and training, detention, rehabilitation and drug addiction treatment centres. Apart from 24 correctional institutions, there are three half-way houses and two custodial wards, which altogether accommodate about 8 800 persons. CSD also runs an extensive community-based supervision service with some 2 200 persons under active supervision at the end of 2014.

For the health of persons in custody, CSD actively supports the Government's anti-smoking policy and promotes a no smoking culture among persons in custody through various anti-smoking measures including education, propaganda, counseling and organising smoking cessation courses. In addition to assigning Tung Tau Correctional Institution as the first "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on 1 January 2013, CSD assigned Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution as the second "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on 1 December 2014 to accommodate adult persons in custody who do not smoke.

To promote the conservation of precious resources and minimise pollution, CSD has all along been adopting the principles of environmental protection and caring for the community in its management to reduce food waste in penal institutions. In April 2013, CSD has implemented the "Waste No Food Scheme" in Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI) to promote the culture of reducing waste and cherishing food for the support of environmental protection. Apart from saving food and reducing food waste, LWCI has also installed a food waste decomposing system to convert food waste into useful organic fertilisers. The scheme was later extended to Tai Lam Centre for Women, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and the Elderly Unit of Tai Lam Correctional Institution.

Adult Male Persons in Custody: CSD operates 9 correctional institutions for male adults. Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre accommodates persons awaiting trial and newly-convicted persons pending classification and allocation to other institutions.

Stanley Prison, the largest maximum-security prison, houses persons serving life or long-term sentences. Another maximum-security prison, Shek Pik Prison, houses those serving medium to long-term sentences including life imprisonment.

Tong Fuk Correctional Institution, Hei Ling Chau Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution are medium-security prisons.

The three minimum-security prisons are Tung Tau Correctional Institution, Pik Uk Prison and Tai Lam Correctional Institution. Elderly persons in custody, generally aged over 65, are housed at Tai Lam Correctional Institution.

Young Male Persons in Custody: Pik Uk Correctional Institution, a maximum-security institution, houses remand and convicted young persons in custody. Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution is a minimum-security institution for young persons in custody serving imprisonment. Cape Collinson Correctional Institution is a training centre for those aged between 14 and under 21. Those committed to training centres receive a period of training from six months to three years. Release is followed by a three-year compulsory supervision. The above young persons in custody have to participate in a programme based on half-day education and half-day vocational training.

Sha Tsui Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution for detention centre detainees, emphasises strict discipline, hard work and counselling. Detention varies from one to six months for offenders aged between 14 and under 21, and three to 12 months for those aged between 21 and under 25. There is a 12-month supervision following release.

Lai Chi and Lai Hang Rehabilitation Centres house young male persons in custody for an aggregate period of three to nine months. The rehabilitation centre programme, focuses on reformation of young offenders, who are subject to one year's supervision after release.

Adult Female Persons in Custody: There are two correctional institutions for female adults. Tai Lam Centre for Women is a maximum-security institution functioning as a remand centre and a prison for adult women. Lo Wu Correctional Institution is the newest institution for female adults, with one minimum-security wing and two medium-security wings. They are operated under the Correctional Services Integrated Management which emphasises care for people, environment and the community.

Young Female Persons in Custody: Lai King Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution, operates as a reception centre, training centre, drug addiction treatment centre and prison for young persons in custody aged between 14 and under 21. Chi Lan and Wai Lan Rehabilitation Centres accommodate young female persons in custody under the rehabilitation centre programme.