The Correctional Services Bureau held on 11 December morning its annual award presentation ceremony for year 2023 at the hall of the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macao to commend outstanding work performances, boost morale, and give a review of its work in the year. The ceremony was hosted by the Secretary for Security Wong Sio Chak and attended by Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security Cheong Ioc Ieng.

 

This year, 61 staff members with excellent work performances were commended with the individual award, three subsidiary units received the group award and 111 staff members were presented with the honorable retirement or long-time service commemorative medal. At the ceremony, Director Cheng Fong Meng mentioned in his review that under the leadership of the Secretary for Security in 2023, the Correctional Services Bureau made every effort to thoroughly implement the policy objectives of the security sector. Furthermore, faced with the new landscape of law and order in Macao following the resumption of normality, we effectively safeguarded the security and stability of correctional environments. We also actively gathered strengths from different sectors, giving new impetus to the efforts to facilitate social reintegration.

 

For prison administration, we continually reviewed and optimized security operation, stepping up inspections and searches. We also stringently enforced an accountability system for security positions, strengthened the education of inmates on the compliance of the law and the disciplinary regulations, and stepped up the various types of emergency response simulation exercises – all in a bid to ensure the security and order in prison. At the same time, we actively gathered strengths from different sectors of society to facilitate the social rehabilitation of inmates and juvenile delinquents on personal, familial and social levels. Apart from continuing to provide such services as correctional counseling, education, vocational training and social reintegration support schemes, we also introduced the art brut therapy program, employing art as a medium to promote the physical and mental health of inmates. In addition, through diverse approaches both online and offline, we promoted the loving and inclusive spirit and spread the crime prevention message, succeeding in mobilizing more members of the public to join our cause of assisting in offender rehabilitation.

 

The Correctional Services Bureau adhered to the management principle of coupling strength and gentleness, and continually improved the discipline management and sense of integrity and probity among the staff through internal and external supervision mechanisms and integrity education. We provided systematic professional training to personnel at all levels and coordinated with the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macao to organize the first-ever senior-ranked prison guard training program. We also progressively optimized the promotion procedures among different ranks of prison guards and the recruitment of prison guards. At the same time, we resumed exchanges with our counterparts after returning to normalcy, sending our staff to participate in a number of regional and international exchange activities to learn about the latest development of correctional administration and the advanced work experiences from our counterparts. In addition, we made every effort to expedite the construction works under the New Prison Project. We continuously conducted researches and arrangements on the operation and management of the New Prison, and draws on the experience of our counterparts to continuously optimize the plans for the relocation so as to ensure the safe and smooth relocation of the New Prison.

 

Going forward, the Correctional Services Bureau will forge ahead while staying true to the original aspirations and remaining devoted to the causes. We will actively and thoroughly implement the policy objectives of the SAR Government and the three modern policing philosophies of the security sector. We will continuously elevate the prison administration and its safety, boost the efficacy of social rehabilitation services in solidarity, and spare no efforts on ensuring the construction of the New Prison to be completed in the next year and performing the first phase of relocation. And we will unite our team to take on greater responsibilities of fulfilling the duties of corrections so as to make “corrections” and “education” effective and fulfill the duties of safeguarding the order and peace in the society and protecting the lives and properties of the members of the public.