Reformatory School Rules
[4 September 1959]
(Format changes—E.R. 1 of 2024)
These rules may be cited as the Reformatory School Rules.
In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires—
Director (署長) means the Director of Social Welfare; school (感化院) means a reformatory school established under section 10 of the Ordinance.(Repealed L.N. 43 of 1973)
The superintendent of a school shall be responsible to the Director for the conduct of the school, and if the superintendent is absent for a period of more than 24 hours he shall, subject to the approval of the Director, nominate in writing a senior member of the staff to carry out his duties.
The superintendent of the school shall, subject to the directions of the Director, determine the duties of members of the staff of the school other than the medical officer.
The superintendent shall keep the following—
a register of admissions and discharges, licences together with any applications for the same, grants of home leave and releases;
a log book showing every event of importance at the school;
a daily register showing the presence or absence of every detained person;
separate case records of every detained person in such form as the Director may prescribe;
a register showing the dietary, the quantities of foodstuffs used each week and the dishes prepared and served;
a punishment book.
If a detained person absconds the superintendent shall forthwith notify the Director and the officer in charge of the police station in the district in which the school is situated.
Every detained person shall be provided with a separate bed and supplied with such clothing as the superintendent shall determine.
Every detained person shall be provided with varied food based on such dietary as the superintendent may decide on the advice of the medical officer.
A copy of the dietary approved under subrule (1) shall remain posted in the kitchen, and shall be entered in the register kept under rule 6(e). (E.R. 1 of 2024)
The superintendent shall, subject to the approval of the Director— (E.R. 1 of 2024)
maintain a daily routine which shall include the hours of rising, meals, recreation and retiring and shall keep a copy of such routine posted in the school;
provide a scheme of training; and
make provision for recreation including organized games.
Any substantial deviation from the daily routine shall be reported by the superintendent in the log book kept under rule 6(b).
Detained persons may correspond with their parents or guardians and for such purpose shall be provided with stationery and postage stamps, and may also correspond with friends:Provided that the Director may by order in writing require the superintendent to censor any such correspondence, including correspondence with parents or guardians, and to delete therefrom any matter which in his opinion is objectionable.
Subject to such requirements as may be imposed by the superintendent detained persons may receive such visits as are approved by the superintendent.
Discipline in the school shall be promoted by a system of rewards and privileges which shall be drawn up and operated by the superintendent subject to the approval of the Director.
A detained person may be punished, where the superintendent considers punishment necessary for the well-being of the detained person or for the maintenance of discipline in the school, and such punishment may take one of the following forms but no other—
forfeiture of rewards or privileges (including pocket money), or restriction on recreation;
imposition of additional tasks; or
segregation from other detained persons for a period not exceeding 7 days during all or any of the following times—
the time between retiring at night and rising the following morning;
the time allowed for recreation;
the time allowed for meals,
as specified in the daily routine maintained under rule 10(1)(a). (L.N. 163 of 1977; E.R. 1 of 2024)
(Repealed L.N. 193 of 1990)
The superintendent shall be solely responsible for the punishment of any detained person, which in no case shall be administered by any other detained person, and the superintendent shall record all punishments inflicted in the punishment book kept under rule 6(f).
(Repealed L.N. 193 of 1990)
(Repealed L.N. 193 of 1990)
The duties of a medical officer appointed under section 12 of the Ordinance shall be—
the examination on admission to and discharge from the school of detained persons;
the maintaining of medical records relating to every detained person in the school including an opinion based on the examinations carried out under paragraph (a);
the medical care of all detained persons in the school for which purpose he may cause to be removed to hospital any such detained person who in his opinion cannot adequately be treated in the school;
the inspection from time to time of the school; and (E.R. 1 of 2024)
advising on matters pertaining to dietary and hygiene. (E.R. 1 of 2024)
(Repealed L.N. 193 of 1990)
If a detained person in any school dies or becomes seriously ill, the superintendent shall forthwith report the fact to the Director and to the parent or guardian (if any) of such detained person.
For the purposes of section 19 of the Ordinance, the superintendent shall report to the Director any detained person who in his opinion will lead a useful and industrious life if discharged.
When a detained person is discharged on licence under section 20A of the Ordinance, any conditions imposed by the Director under that section shall be endorsed on the licence.
Where a detained person is discharged the superintendent shall—
provide such person with an outfit of clothes and with travelling and subsistence money; and
notify the parents or guardian (if any).
The school shall be visited at least once in every month by visitors appointed under section 14 of the Ordinance whose duties shall be—
to record in the book kept for such purpose the time and date of such visit, and their comments and recommendations;
to inspect the dietary and record any failure to conform to the dietary prescribed;
to report to the Director any abuses;
to inquire into any matter referred to them by the Director;
to hear any complaint made by a detained person;
to advise the Director on all matters connected with the school and in particular with regard to the training and recreation of detained persons; and
such other duties as the Chief Executive may prescribe. (17 of 1999 s. 3)
For the purpose of carrying out their duties, visitors may—
inspect any part of the school at all reasonable times;
inspect all books other than medical records connected with the running of the school;
inquire into any complaint made to them by a detained person; and
with the approval of the Director, arrange any lectures or addresses in the school which are directed to the moral improvement of detained persons and which do not interfere with the requirements of discipline in such school.
After every visit the superintendent shall send to the Director a true copy of the comments and recommendations as recorded in the book by the visitors.