Job fair held for rehabilitated offenders

 The Correctional Services Department held a job fair for inmates soon to be released.

Called the "Give Rehabilitated Offenders A Chance" job fair, this is the first time the CSD held an event like this.

The job fair is jointly organised by the CSD and the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited. Launched at Pik Uk Prison, the job fair provides employment opportunities and assistance to inmates who will be released within three months. The fair can help inmates find jobs before release and enter the job market as soon as they leave the institution. They are then able contribute to society as law-abiding citizens.

 At the same time, business organisations are able to fulfil their social responsibility by providing rehabilitated offenders with equal employment opportunities, while the image of their organisations can also be enhanced. They can help rehabilitated offenders to turn over a new leaf so that crimes in society will eventually be reduced.

The Commissioner of Correctional Services, Mr Sin Yat-kin, called on employers from the business sector to eliminate misunderstandings about inmates and giving a chance to rehabilitated offenders.

Mr Sin called on the community to support the work of helping offenders to rehabilitate. He cited examples of employers giving rehabilitated offenders equal employment opportunities.

The President of the Merchants Support for Rehabilitated Offenders Committee Limited, Dr Leung Lun, said: "We have been enhancing public understanding of rehabilitated offenders through organising various publicity and promotional activities. We appeal for public acceptance of rehabilitated offenders and fair employment opportunities given to them so that they can contribute to society as law-abiding citizens."

 Dr Leung said he hoped inmates and rehabilitated offenders could learn from attending the job fair that their days ahead would be brighter if they made an effort and seized the opportunity.
    
Twenty-six business organisations participated in the job fair, offering a total of 243 jobs in retailing, food and beverage, electrical and mechanical engineering, construction and transportation. A total of 204 job applications have so far been received from 187 inmates.