The Prisoners’ Friends’ Association

27, M/F, Tso Kung Square, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong The Prisoners’ Friends’ Association (PFA) (Chinese: 香港友愛會) is a association located in Tso Kung Square, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, Hong Kong.It is a voluntary organization founded in 1982, and is an independent organization while co-operating with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Correctional Service Department for prisoners' welfare. It arranges two types of services for long-term prisoners in Hong Kong: Prison Visitor and Pen Friends.

Background

Under the suggestion of the Commissioner of the Correctional Service Department, the association was established in 1982 to organise outside social contacts for prisoners who had had no visitors for more than ten years. The association recruits and vets volunteer to visit such prisoners.

Objectives

  • To help the prisoners and their families to cope with the imprisonment and to work towards rehabilitation and adjustment to society afterwards.
  • To contribute to a reduction in crime.
  • To suggest, encourage and support measures to improve prison conditions and the welfare of the prisoners and their families.
  • To give the prisoners a hope to their future.
  • To let the prisoners keep in touch with happenings in the world outside.
  • To let people in the community know and care what happens to the prisonsers.
  • To maintain the dignity of the prisoners.

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Structure

An independent organisation, the Prisoners' Friends' Association is made up of individuals of varied nationalities and backgrounds who have no history of imprisonment. Members under the age of 21 may serve as "pen friends" but do not ordinarily receive full membership. The Prisoners' Friends' Association does cooperate with the Correctional Services Department and Police, who determine who may visit the Prisons, but they are run by an elected Executive Committee that is not affiliated with either.

Current chief’s information

  • Honorary President- Ms Margaret Ng
  • Chairman- Jack Fung
  • Vice Chairman- Charles McKnelly
  • Secretary- Robert Allender
  • Prison Visit Coordinator (Lantau Island)- Lorna T. Gabinera
  • Member- Tess
  • Administration Officer- Mary Cheung
  • Newsletter editors- Robert Allender

Volunteers

Visitors

  • Job duties

Prison visitors are aimed to build up friendship with prisoners. They are required to attend training sessions before entering the prison. After the training sessions, they can register to conduct a prison visit regularly in the accompaniment of a prison officer. They also need to attend seminars given by senior members of the Correctional Services Department, Ex-prisoners, and Counselors etc.

  • To apply

For being a Prison Visitor, it is required to apply for a pass which allows the entrance to any prison in Hong Kong and has an open visit with a prisoner.

  • Requirements for application of Prison Visitor membership
  1. The completed Application Form of PFA
  2. The completed Authorization Letter signed by the Police for provision of the criminal record
  3. One Photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card
  4. Two recent passport-sized photos
  5. Annual Subscription HK$200
  6. The completed Application Form for Correctional Services Department Prison Visitor Pass

Once the application has been approved by the PFA Executive Committee, the application will be sent to the Correctional Services Department to apply for a prison visitor’s pass.

Pen friends

Pen friends write to, but do not visit in person, prisoners. The Prisoners' Friends' Association recommends that pen friends mail their correspondents every other week, with appropriately friendly letters sensitive to the realities of their existence.

  • To apply

It is not compulsory to apply for visitors before the application of pen friends volunteers. The application period is always start from 1 October until next year 30 September.

  • Requirements for application of Pen Friend membership
  1. The completed Application Form
  2. One Photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card

for criminal record checking by Correctional Services Department

  1. One recent passport-sized photo
  2. Annual Membership Fee HK$100.00

An application would be considered as successful if there is no commission to any criminal records before.

Recent and past events

Date

Activities

July 2007
  1. Food for thought
  2. Home Grown- Africa
  3. Reflection on "Lang Tu Teng"
  4. Avarice Blinds our eyes- Servility
  5. Self introduction of Jack Fung

May 28, 2009

BOATING Destination: East Ping Chau /Crooked Island/ Pass Bluff head

Oct 26 2009

3 PRISON WALK Route: From Chi Ma Wan passing through Ma Po Ping to Shek Pik Prison

Nov 6 2009

AGM 2009

  • Venue: Lee Hall, St. John's Cathedral, Central
  • Time: 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
  • Guest speakers: Honorable Correctional Services Department Assistant Commissioner, Mr. LEE Sheung

and (PFA) Honorary President, Ms Margaret Ng

Mar 5 2010

TRAINING SESSION

Mar 13 2010

PRISON TOUR