The Correctional Services Department has refuted accusations made by two of its former officers in court.

Assistant Commissioner of Correctional Services (Rehabilitation) Tang Ping-ming said their claims were unfounded, and the department regrets their act.

They were convicted in Eastern Magistracy today of misconduct in public office.

Mr Tang said the department has never forced staff to ensure high employment and success rates for rehabilitated people, saying the court judgment proves the accusations were made without any supporting evidence.

He said the department places great importance on the conduct and integrity of its staff, and adopts a zero-tolerance policy to any misconduct. Any breach of law is strictly dealt with.

The department respects the court's decision and is studying the judgment before taking any follow-up action. Regarding the concern that other correctional officers responsible for supervising rehabilitated offenders might have been involved, he said the department has referred the case to the required law-enforcement agency.

"Following the revelation of the incident in 2009, we have conducted a comprehensive review of the procedures on supervisory duties for inmates of drug addiction treatment centres after their release. We have introduced a series of improvement measures to strengthen supervision of supervisees, sped up the processing of cases of breaching conditions of supervision, and enhanced the checks and balances mechanism to minimise the possibility of manipulation by human factors."

The department has asked the Independent Commission Against Corruption to review the procedures, and strengthened its integrity management.