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GET INVOLVED
There are two kind of membership
that the PFA provides: Prison Visitor membership and Pen Friend
Membership. You can apply for both membership or just for
one.
PRISON
VISITOR MEMBER
For being a Prison Visitor, you need
to apply for a pass which allows you to enter any prison in
Hong Kong and have an open visit with a prisoner. Before such
a pass is issued, it is necessary for the authorities to carry
out a security check on you. In fact it is the same check
that is applied to those who work inside the prisons. No formal
qualifications are required. The main qualification is the
ability to be a good friend. Initially you need to complete
a preliminary application form for the PFA itself. These are
obtainable from the PFA office. Also you have to sign an Authorisation
Form to authorise the Police to provide criminal recorded
of you to the CSD. When completing the forms, please follow
the guidelines of require documents then return your forms
to the PFA office. Once your application has been approved
by the PFA Executive Committee, then we will send your application
to the CSD to apply for a prison visitor¡¦s pass for you. Guidance
Notes For The Forms
- This form should be completed in black
or blue ball pen.
- Except for the Chinese Name, the form
should be completed in English.
- Complete all sections. If any section
is not applicable, indicate by writing 'NIL' in that section.
- Please provide exact English Name and
Full Address when completing your corresponding address,
educational and employment particulars. All details should
be listed in chronological order, as any intermittent omission
will not be accepted (except summer vacation). Any period
of "No schooling" or "Unemployment" should also be filled
in.
For security reason, your application
will be checked by the Security Branch of the HK Government.
So the total process length of the application is in between
two to four months. After your application as been approved,
your pass will be sent to you within the next two weeks. Sometimes,
the applicant is required by the CSD to make finger print.
However, it does not happen very often.
On rare occasions a pass is refused.
It seems that the CSD does not feel obliged to explain the
reasons for their refusal. Should this happen to you we are
deeply sorry but thankfully it does not happen very often.
When you have received your pass we will then arrange for
you to accompany with a experienced member to visit the prisoner
until you feel comfortable going by yourself.
NOTE: Every time you make a prison
visit you are entitled to claim travelling expenses from the
welfare officer of the prison to which you have gone. We would
strongly urge you to do so. Only the cost of public transport
will be reimbursed. Please contact the welfare officer. He
will give you a form to sign and the money will be either
given to you in cash or paid into your bank account. If you
have any problems with this, please contact the PFA office.
PEN
FRIEND MEMBER
For pen friend member, you do not have
to apply for a prison visitor pass. After your application
has been approved by our Executive Committee, it is required
for security reasons, that the CSD checks your H.K.I.D. Card
number as to whether or not you have a criminal record. If
not, then there should be no problem in your becoming a pen
friend. Please read section 3 of this book for advice on being
a pen friend.
SUBSCRIPTION
The annual subscription is HK$200 for
Prison Visitor and HK$100 for Pen Friend. The membership period
is always from 1st October until next year 30th
September. The membership period does not start from the date
you join our association.
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