The inauguration ceremony of the Correctional Services Bureau’s new site at Estrada da Barragem de Ká Hó, Coloane was held on 1 November morning. The Chief Executive, Mr. Ho Iat Seng, officiated the inauguration ceremony accompanied by other officiating guests – the Secretary for Security, Mr. Wong Sio Chak; the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Mr. Raimundo Arrais do Rosário; the Director of the Correctional Services Bureau, Mr. Cheng Fong Meng; and the Director of the Land and Urban Construction Bureau, Mr. Lam Wai Hou.

 

In his address at the ceremony, Director Cheng Fong Meng expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Executive for attaching great importance to, tremendously supporting and effectively coordinating the new prison construction project, before noting that the entry into service of the Correctional Services Bureau’s new premises had marked an important milestone and a new stage of the development of correctional services in Macao. With a total gross floor area of over 76,000 square meters, the new site is composed of facilities such as the Administration Building, the Training Building, the Staff Complex, as well as Coloane Prison, which can house up to 2,704 inmates, effectively solving the overcrowding problem previously faced by the old prison. In addition, the new prison site is a smart prison equipped with various advanced technologies and intelligent management systems that serve to extensively improve prison security and management level. More physical space for and types of education and vocational training programs are also available in the new location, thereby providing more learning opportunities for inmates, further assisting them in reintegrating into society. The completion and entry into service of the Correctional Services Bureau’s new premises mean the comprehensive enhancement of prison security and effectiveness of prison administration as well as the significant improvement of the staff’s work environment and prison guards’ training facilities and conditions, which helps boost work efficiency and quality and advance prison guards’ professional law enforcement standards. At this new starting point, the entire staff of the Correctional Services Bureau will keep in mind their statutory responsibilities and make good use of the favorable conditions at hand, further improving the professional and management standards of correctional services, more effectively facilitating inmates and juvenile delinquents’ social reintegration and reducing the recidivism rate, and playing a greater role in and making further contributions to the long-term peace, security, prosperity and stability of the Macao SAR.

 

After the inauguration ceremony, the guests toured Coloane Prison’s facilities, including its Command and Supervision Centre, visit area and cells, learning about the management and operation of the Prison.

 

Other guests who attended the inauguration ceremony of the Correctional Services Bureau’s new site included: Acting President of the Court of Final Appeal, Ms. Song Man Lei; Secretary for Administration and Justice, Mr. Cheong Weng Chon; Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Ms. Ao Ieong U; Prosecutor General of the Public Prosecutions Office, Mr. Ip Son Sang; Director of the Police Liaison Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao, Mr. Wang Qianjin; Commissioner General of the Unitary Police Service, Mr. Leong Man Cheong; Director General of the Macao Customs, Mr. Vong Man Chong; President of the Court of First Instance, Ms. Io Weng San; President of the Security Forces and Departments Discipline Supervision Committee, Mr. Leonel Alberto Alves; Chief of Office of the Secretary for Security, Ms. Cheong Ioc Ieng, and other officials and representatives from relevant public entities of the SAR Government.