Mental Health Committee Visits Correctional Services Bureau (2019-10-25)

A ten-member delegation of the Mental Health Committee, headed by itsPresident Hou Chi Weng, visited the Correctional Services Bureau on 25 October,meeting with our Deputy Director Loi Kam Wan, Director of Coloane Prison Ng IoiOn, Director of Youth Correctional Institution Yu Pui Lam and several membersof our management, discussing and exchanging views on topics including inmates’mental health, the psychological support services provided to them, measuresfacilitating their reintegration into the community, prevention and handling ofsuicide and substance abuse, training of prison medical staff and the futuredevelopment of mental health services.

 

The meeting began with the personnel of the Bureauintroducing the visiting Committee members to the medical and psychologicalcounseling services provided by Coloane Prison to its inmates and sharing withthe members some relevant cases, their handling methods, as well as the lateststatistics related to the inmates concerned. During the process, members of theCommittee expressed special interest in the counseling services for mentallyill inmates and the communication with foreign inmates, and the personnel ofthe Bureau answered their questions one by one. The Committee members went onto convey their recognition of the efforts of the Bureau’s staff and putforward multiple suggestions for staff support services. The exchange achievedthe expected results as it furthered the Committee members’ understanding ofcorrectional services and enabled staff of the Bureau to acquaint themselveswith the relevant community support services.

 

Furthermore, members of the Committee also toured the variousfacilities in Coloane Prison, such as the visit room, the cell area, theinmates’ vocational training workshops and the Clinic, for an understanding ofour correctional and medical facilities and their daily operation.

 

The Correctional Services Bureau always pays attentionto the psychological state of inmates and the mental and physical wellbeing ofthe staff. Looking ahead, the Bureau will continue with its close communicationand cooperation with other government agencies so as to raise more support fromthe community.