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 Service Description
Probation service is a community-based programme whereby, in accordance with the Probation of Offenders Ordinance (Chapter 298), an offender is placed under statutory supervision of a probation officer [PO(Probation)] for a period of 1 to 3 years. The ultimate goal of probation service is to assist offenders to re-integrate into the community as law-abiding citizens.
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Objective
The objectives of probation service are -
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to make recommendation to the court on the suitability of offenders to be put on Probation Order or Community Service Order; |
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to implement the court's directives on the treatment and rehabilitation of those put under Probation supervision; |
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to assist them in making positive changes in their attitude and behaviour; |
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to enhance their life coping skills to avoid re-offending; |
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to strengthen the family support in the process of rehabilitation; |
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to utilize community resources to meet the needs of offenders referred by court and, where necessary, those of their family members. | |
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Nature of Service
| (a) |
In serving the courts and the parties concerned, POs(Probation) prepare pre-sentence reports including Probation Officer's Reports, Suitability Reports for Community Service Order, progress reports of the probationers and social welfare reports on long-term prisoners and petition cases. |
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| (b) |
The services provided for the probationers include statutory supervision, personal guidance and family counselling through regular interviews, home visits and other activities during their probation period. |
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Where appropriate, offenders, probationers and their family members are referred to approved institutions run by the Department or residential homes for children and youth with emotional / behavioural problems run by non-governmental organizations, related units or agencies for psychological treatment, welfare services and other services such as Volunteer Scheme for Probationers and Community Support Services Centre. | |
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Target Group
The target group is offenders who
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are referred by court for social enquiry; |
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are ordered by court to be put under probation supervision; |
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have completed the probation order but are willing to receive voluntary supervision up to three months; |
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are serving sentence in prison launching petition or being subject to review; or |
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are referred by court for welfare assistance or other professional reports. | |
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List of Probation Offices
There are 12 probation offices serving the Magistrates' Courts, the District Court and the High Court (i.e. the Court of First Instance & the Court of Appeal). The address and telephone list of the probation offices can be downloaded here  Acrobat Doc  MswordDoc |
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Office Hours
(Monday to Friday) : 8 : 45 a.m. to 6 : 00 p.m.
Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays |
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