The Correctional Services Department is responsible for all prisons in Hong Kong and will be attending the Career Forum to seek out suitable applicants for the position of assistant officer II.
The role requires the management of persons in custody, young people in training and rehabilitation centres, and drug dependants in additional treatment centres.
“Owing to the security setting of correctional facilities and the nature of a job in corrections, applicants are advised to prepare themselves for adapting to a highly disciplined environment,” says a department spokesperson. “They should also possess a commitment to serve the community through performing the dual role of society guardian and rehabilitation facilitator.”
Those selected to join the department – which manages 29 correctional institutions in total – are expected to complete a rigorous training programme.
New recruits undergo basic residential training for 23 to 26 weeks at the department’s Staff Training Institute. The programme covers physical education, foot drills, firearm and equipment handling, self-defence, scenario training, penology, psychology, leadership and self-confidence training. New recruits will also be given instruction on the laws of Hong Kong, the spokesperson adds.
Good interpersonal skills are necessary for a career in the department, as these will help facilitate effective conflict management in the supervision of persons in custody. Self-confidence, resilience and commitment are also important, as they are required to handle various challenges in different posts.
Applicants who fulfil the entry requirements can apply for posts within the department. Expertise and qualifications associated with correctional work – such as law, criminology, social work and health care – will be looked upon favourably.
Workers in this department will need to perform shift duties and work in remote locations.
“Apart from [fufilling] the inherent job requirements, candidates should also be able to uphold a high standard of discipline and take pride in serving the community as a correctional officer,” the spokesperson says.
