Detention Under section 3, social welfare officers or other government officers authorised by the Social Welfare Department and
local authorities may detain any beggar or homeless person found in public and produce him before a
magistrate within 24 hours. If the beggar or homeless person refuse or ressist, such officers can request the help of police officers to detain him. If the magistrate reasonably believes the detained person is a "destitute person", a detention order will be issued and the person will be temporary placed in a welfare home for up to one month awaiting a report by the social welfare department. After receiving the report, if the magistrate is statisfied that the person is indeed a destitute person, he may order such person to be placed in a welfare home for up to three years, and the detention period may be further extended by another three years. However, children under 18 years old cannot be detained under section 3, but any destitute person may voluntarily admit himself into a welfare home as per section 4.
Release Under section 8, a destitute person can be discharged from a welfare home if he has found a suitable
employment to sustain himself, or if someone else is willing to provide care and support to him. The
Minister of Women, Family and Community Development may also reduce the detention period or allow the early release of a destitute person on special grounds as per section 13. Person discharged from the welfare home will then be placed under a one-year supervision period by a social welfare officer.
Criminal offences Under section 11, any destitute person who refuse, resist or escape from being taken into a welfare home; or leave his welfare home without permission; or failed to return to his welfare home within the designated time, commits an offence and can either be sentenced to up to three months imprisonment or be returned to welfare home without punishment. == See also ==