Promotion of Community Engagement in Activities
Correctional Services Bureau Organizes “Youth vs. Youth” Activity in Celebration of Double Anniversaries (2019-05-26)
The Correctional Services Bureau held another “Youth vs. Youth” activity, inviting the Macao New Chinese Youth Association and the General Association of Chinese Students – Macau to interact and exchange with young inmates on prison premises. With this year marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of our country and the 20th anniversary of Macao’s return to its Motherland, the Bureau specially arranged a celebratory musical exchange for the activity participants and the young inmates, so that they could together, with loud and youthful singing voices, express gratitude for our country’s support that contributed to the prosperity and stability of Macao today, and wish for a better tomorrow for our country and Macao. The activity also served to enable young inmates to experience the support and encouragement from their peers and the love and care from the outside world, so that they could adequately prepare for their future social reintegration with a positive attitude.
The participants first toured the facilities of Coloane Prison, learning about the living and learning conditions of inmates. It was followed by a musical exchange which saw the participants and the young inmates play and sing a number of songs, either solo or in teams, to convey the message of encouragement, help inmates establish a positive attitude in life and increase their confidence in a successful return to the society in the future. Also, with this year marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and 20th anniversary of the Handover of Macao, the participants and the young inmates collaborated on a number of songs, including “Descendants of the Dragon” and “A Place of Wonder”, to convey the joy for the prosperity, harmony and stability of Macao ever since its return to China.
Subsequently, the participants had a face-to-face with the young inmates, during which the young inmates talked about their regrets for breaking the law, shared their education in prison and expectations for the future, and expressed the hope for a second chance from members of the public, so that they could repay the society upon release. Some participants of the activity mentioned that the close collaboration with young inmates had allowed them to bear witness to the young inmates’ talents and determination of self-reform; the participants also expressed the hope that the young inmates could continue with their learning efforts in prison and prepare sufficiently for their return to society.
The Correctional Services Bureau has been working to raise public understanding about inmates and juvenile delinquents through organizing a variety of activities. The activities serve to reiterate the idea that everyone makes mistakes, and that inmates and juvenile delinquents have been actively reforming themselves while receiving adequate punishment and education and profoundly reflecting on their mistakes. It is therefore hoped that members of the public can give them more understanding, patience and acceptance.
The young visitors tour the facilities in the cell area
The young visitors and the young inmates collaborate on a number of encouraging songs
The Vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Macao New Chinese Youth Association and Deputy Secretary-General of the General Association of Chinese Students – Macau, Ms. Si Nei Na, encourages the young inmates not to belittle themselves, but to build confidence and use their talents to the fullest
The musical exchange ends in a happy atmosphere
The young visitors tour the facilities in the cell area
The young visitors and the young inmates collaborate on a number of encouraging songs
The Vice-president of the Board of Directors of the Macao New Chinese Youth Association and Deputy Secretary-General of the General Association of Chinese Students – Macau, Ms. Si Nei Na, encourages the young inmates not to belittle themselves, but to build confidence and use their talents to the fullest
The musical exchange ends in a happy atmosphere