“Rebirth, Youth Connection” –An Exchange between Correctional Services Bureau and Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau (2018-03-24)

To enhance young people’s knowledge of corrections and promote the message of support to the rehabilitation of inmates and juvenile delinquents, the Correctional Services Bureau delegation, led by Director Cheng Fong Meng and composed of Director of Coloane Prison Ng Ioi On, Director of Youth Correctional Institution Yu Pui Lam and a number of the heads, visited the Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau on 24 March, and discussed correctional affairs with the President of its Board of Directors, Ms. Loi I Weng, its management and young members under the theme “Rebirth, Youth Connection”. Such an exchange serves to spread the meaning of corrections and convey a positive image of facilitating offender rehabilitation, creating a new public impression of the inmates and the juvenile delinquents, calling for more acceptance for them as they return to society, and further promoting harmony in the community. The activity is part of the “Youth Work Scheme 2018” of the SAR Government.

During the forum, Director Cheng Fong Meng first thanked the Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau for its long-term and tremendous support for our efforts on facilitating social reintegration, which was followed by an introduction to the functions of the Correctional Services Bureau and the latest updates in social rehabilitation affairs, deepening the young people’s knowledge of Macao’s correctional work. Later, the Bureau presented some cookies baked by inmates to the youngsters, who found the cookies very delicious and was highly appreciative of the baking skills of our inmates. The Bureau hoped that cookies would enable the young people to understand that with commitment to self-reform and learning, the inmates and the juvenile delinquents can still succeed all the same, as long as the society is willing to give them a chance to shine and contribute using their talents. In the meantime, the Bureau also wished to employ youth power to help broadcast the positive message of helping the inmate and the juveniles at our facilities rehabilitate, which is also the aim of this “Rebirth, Youth Connection” activity.

Furthermore, Director Cheng interacted and exchanged with the youngsters about the modes of acceptance and support for the inmates and the juvenile delinquents in the community, during which a number of young people provided suggestions that were of great value: increasing the types of vocational training programs offered in a timely manner, according to the development of the labor market; strengthening the support to inmates and juvenile delinquents as they rebuild their familial relationships; making good use of the influence of the new media to call for more care and concern for the inmate and the juveniles at our facilities. President of the Board of Directors of the Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau, Ms. Loi I Weng, also commented on how the inmates and the juveniles will need assistance from different social sectors, which social associations can help by cooperating with the Correctional Services Bureau to provide a variety of training and workshops to the inmates, so that they can acquire knowledge and skills that are useful in the present-day world; also, if given the opportunities to volunteer, inmates can better reintegration into the community and contribute to society.

Also participating in this forum were Vice-president of the Association, Ms. Lou Sio Man, Vice-presidents of the Board of Directors of the Association, Ms. Ng Sao Lan, Ms. Wong Kit U and Ms. Cheong Chou In. During the exchange with us, the young participants provided some very valuable suggestions that are inspirational for the development of corrections.Looking ahead, the Bureau will remain committed to youth development and participate more in community activities, enhancing the transparency of our correctional work and public understanding about the meaning of corrections and the significance of community engagement.

Correctional Services Bureau pays a visit to The Fu Lun Youth Association of Macau

Director Cheng Fong Meng interacts with President Loi I Weng and a group of teens

Teens actively voice their opinions