Twenty young inmates who participated in this year's Diploma of Secondary Education Examination have obtained good results.
The youths, from Pik Uk, Cape Collinson and Lai King Correctional Institutions, took 97 examination papers and obtained results of level two or above in 91 papers.
Three of them obtained level 5* or 5** in economics, which is the first time a person in custody obtained level 5** in the examination.
Three of the 20 met the general entrance requirements for local universities. One candidate at Pik Uk Correctional Institution scored 26 marks overall in the six papers taken - the highest score obtained by a young person in custody since 2012.
Correctional Services Department Assistant Commissioner Tang Ping-ming said today the results are encouraging, adding that academic qualifications will enhance the inmates’ ability to compete for jobs and further their studies after release.
The department provides half-day compulsory education programmes and half-day vocational training for offenders under the age of 21. Guidance and assistance are in place for adult offenders who participate in studies on a voluntary basis.
