Eight young inmates have met the general entrance requirements for local universities in this year’s Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the Correctional Services Department announced.

They are among 18 young inmates from Sha Tsui, Pik Uk and Lai King correctional institutions who received their exam results today. They took a total of 106 exam papers and obtained level 2 or above in 83 papers or 78.3% of all papers taken.

While one such candidate scored the highest result with 29 marks overall in six subjects, seven other candidates met the general entrance requirements for local universities.

The exams sat included the four core subjects of Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies as well as the two electives of Economics and Tourism & Hospitality Studies.

To facilitate the inmates’ continuing education, the department earlier invited local universities’ representatives to attend a session at correctional institutions to share information on distance learning and tertiary education programmes with more than 100 young inmates.

The department has provided education to help inmates below the age of 21 to gain accredited qualifications and develop positive values with the hope that they can further their studies, find jobs and reintegrate into society after release.