The Asian Jade Society of the New York City Department of Correction held its 19th annual dinner in Flushing on the evening of May 31st, aiming to strengthen bonds among its members and honor five outstanding Asian correctional officers, three of whom are of Chinese descent.
The event kicked off with a lively lion dance performance by the Zhu Chaoran Lion Dance Team. Zhu Chaoran, a former three-term president of the society and current chairman of the Chinese Public Association, helped start the association in 1983. After a hiatus due to the pandemic in recent years, this year marked the first time the annual dinner was held post-pandemic, with approximately 200 Asian officers from the Department of Correction and their families in attendance, where five Asian members were recognized.
The honorees included Chinese correctional officer Jason Tam, who was awarded the “Man of the Year” award, Chinese correctional officer Lai Wah Kwong, who received the “Member of the Year” award, and Chinese deputy warden Hon Pun Chan, who was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award.” Two non-Chinese officers were also recognized: Alexis Parialla received the Distinguished Leadership Award, and Jessica Davis was presented with the Community Service Award.
The current Chinese president, Joseph Wong, mentioned that the proportion of Asian correctional officers was not high in the past, but now the ranks are growing stronger. The association aims to foster stronger connections among its Asian members, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and provide mutual support, bridging the gap between Asian members and the Department of Correction.
Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, former Chinese deputy warden Hon Pun Chan, who was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to the United States at a young age, shared his journey. Having been interested in law enforcement from a young age, Hon Pun Chan joined the Department of Correction in 2001 at the age of 26. In his nearly 22 years of service, he climbed the ranks and retired in 2023 with enviable retirement benefits, highlighting the limited number of Chinese individuals who reach leadership roles in government departments. He encouraged fellow Chinese individuals to break barriers and pursue mainstream roles such as those in government and law enforcement, emphasizing the attractive retirement benefits in the Department of Correction.
Recipient of the Man of the Year award, Jason Tam, expressed that since joining in 2013, the job has been challenging, often requiring him to work long hours and overtime. While acknowledging the hardships, he highlighted the relatively good compensation, emphasizing the physical and mental challenges of the job. Drawing from his experience starting as a police auxiliary in 1992, Tam believed that it had prepared him for the current role.
Lai Wah Kwong, who received the Member of the Year award and has been in the profession for 18 years, shared her journey of initial uncertainty and subsequent perseverance, leading to her upcoming retirement in three years. She stressed the importance of communication skills in overcoming the challenges at work, emphasizing the need to use one’s intellect to effectively communicate with inmates.