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Help others to get back into society

The Correctional Services Department (CSD) is seeking big-hearted applicants to fill up to 70 officer and 110 assistant officer positions in the coming year.

The recruitment drive is designed to replace retiring staff and does not represent net jobs growth in the government department, which currently employs 7,000 staff.

Francis Tse Siu-fung, principal officer (recruitment and training) of the CSD, says one of the most important qualities in applicants is a desire to help people.

His own 17-year career in the department has been motivated by a sense of altruism - a wish to help people get their lives back on track.

While working in Aftercare Service, a division that helps recently-released prisoners re-integrate into society, Mr Tse says he felt his role was similar to a welfare worker.

'A career in Correctional Services is very challenging,' he says. 'In Aftercare, we do something that is more than just custodial services. We help prisoners make a new life. We help them adjust to fit into society again when they get out.'

Because of the complex social dynamics of working with a confined prison population, officers are encouraged to develop a variety of skills. These include strong administrative and leadership skills, as well as strong one-on-one interpersonal abilities.

To foster well-rounded officers, the department has an active transfer programme designed to expand work experience and familiarise officers with new duties and responsibilities.

The textbook definition of an officer's responsibilities are: To supervise junior staff and perform custodial duties for prisoners and drug dependants in training, detention or drug rehabilitation centres. Custodial duties are also applied to prison hospitals, aftercare facilities, and illegal immigrant detention centres.

Assistant officers are charged with the direct supervision of prisoners throughout the network of the CSD's detention facilities. Both job streams offer an opportunity to specialise in areas such as nursing, welfare, psychological service and physical education.

The starting salary package ranges from HK$20,000 to HK$26,000 a month, while salaries for assistant officers range from HK$13,000 to HK$13,700.

Mr Tse advises prospective applicants to view a career in the CSD as a long-term investment.

'It is a lifetime investment, because when you join the department you cannot too easily transfer to another stream of work, either within the Government or outside. What we do is unique.'

In 1998, the CSD established the Rehabilitation Division in response to the growing importance of reforming offenders. Today, the division comprises 380 staff in five units. These include pre-sentence assessment, aftercare, education, vocational training and psychological services.

'We strive to formulate strategies for the long-term development of rehabilitation services,' Mr Tse says.

Common sense and initiative are qualities looked for in prospective applicants for both officer and assistant officer streams.

Because the job entails custodial duties for convicted criminals, potential applicants must also have the 'right stuff' when it comes to facing high pressure situations.

During the interview process, applicants are screened for their emotional intelligence, analytical powers, and their ability to keep a cool head and avoid intimidation and manipulation.

These are essential qualities for candidates who will be placed in situations that require maturity and sound judgment, Mr Tse says.

CSD officers do not fit a typical mould, he adds, noting that the department makes an effort to recruit individuals from a wide range of backgrounds in order to bring wide experience and a broad outlook to the ranks.

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