Empowering Rehabilitation Through Sports: The ‘Run for Our Life’ Program’s Journey from Incarceration to Community Reintegration, SideBySide (PID087)

3pm – 3.30pm EDT, 4 September 2024 ‐ 30 mins

Workshop Session

The "Run for Our Life" program by SideBySide, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department since November 2022, showcases the impact of Sports Social Work Intervention (SSWI) on incarcerated individuals and ex-offenders. It aims to enhance rehabilitation, facilitate reintegration into society, and reduce recidivism by addressing physical, emotional, and social challenges. This comprehensive initiative progresses through four key phases: introducing incarcerated individuals to physical activity inside prison, advancing their training and integrating them into local competitions within the community, preparing them for international competitions and professional development in sports, and finally, transitioning successful participants into peers and mentors for new entrants at the prison.

Preliminary outcomes as the program enters its fourth phase are promising, with participants showing notable improvements in sleep quality, self-efficacy, resilience, emotional health, and social connections after competing in the International Yellow Ribbon Run 2023 in Singapore. These positive trends indicate not only the program's success in meeting its initial goals but also in significantly enhancing participants' overall quality of life. As it moves to ensure participants lead a crime-free life, the effectiveness of incorporating sports into correctional and community support systems appears substantial. This innovative approach offers valuable insights for future initiatives aiming at rehabilitative and reintegration success through physical activity and social support.

Speakers

Ka Lok Edison Lau

Senior Manager, SideBySide (Formerly known as The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, SRACP), Hong Kong

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Kei Leung Tom Tse RSW

Manager, SideBySide, Hong Kong

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Ka Lok Edison Lau

Senior Manager, SideBySide (Formerly known as The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention, SRACP), Hong Kong

Edison Lau is an accomplished service provider and social researcher with over eight years of innovative experience spanning academic research and social welfare sectors. He boasts an impressive educational background, including a Bachelor of Science (Advanced) with a major in Psychology, a Master of Social Sciences in Counseling Psychology, a Master of Social Sciences in Criminology with Distinction, and an Advanced Diploma in Big Data Analytics and Applications. Beyond his academic achievements, he has amassed significant experience in the social welfare field, holding various impactful positions such as social service senior manager, counseling psychologist and researcher. His passion lies in leveraging social service and research to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities.

In his quest to make a meaningful impact, Edison has contributed to pivotal projects at the SideBySide. His work has focused on social service and social research and evaluation, emphasizing social impact assessment (SIA) and social return on investment (SROI) to drive development and innovation in social services. Additionally, Edison has applied his expertise in Big Data to enhance Business Intelligence within the social welfare domain. From 2017 to 2022, Edison has played a crucial role as the editor-in-chief of Sracpology, an influential annual research bulletin that highlights significant advancements and insights in the social welfare landscape. His dedication and contributions are helping to shape a more inclusive and equitable world.

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Kei Leung Tom Tse RSW

Manager, SideBySide, Hong Kong

Tom is a registered social worker in Hong Kong with over 25 years of experience in the field of social services. He specializes in counseling and rehabilitation services for ex-offenders, utilizing sports intervention techniques to integrate psychological counseling and assist individuals involved in sexual offenses, which helps them rehabilitate and re-integrate into society.
Tom has recently assumed the manager role at SideBySide, where he leads a dedicated team of professionals committed to delivering premium services to incarcerated individuals and ex-offenders. Through his leadership, the organization strives to make a significant positive impact, supporting individuals in their journey towards rehabilitation and reintegration into society.