Operations and Institutional Management

It has been a great honour for me to lead the Operations Division since late 2007. I was highly delighted by the whole-hearted support and unswerving commitment of our team members in maintaining smooth and effective operation of institutions.

Over the last year, overcrowding at the aggregate level improved as compared with 2007. The completion of the swapping project between Lai King Training Centre and Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (TGCI) relieved the overcrowding in young female institutions. In all, it optimised the utilisation of accommodation capacities and operational resources. With the completion of an extension block at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre providing 144 additional penal places, overcrowding of remand facilities for adult males was also alleviated.

By the end of 2008, a couple of development projects aiming to enhance resources allocation were still underway. Conversion of TGCI into a male Rehabilitation Centre to house all inmates of Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre (LCRC) is expected to be completed by mid-2009. Upon transfer of all inmates from the existing LCRC to the converted TGCI, the former location would be used to accommodate training centre recalls with a view to relieving the overcrowding in Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and Pik Uk Correctional Institution and providing better facilities for their rehabilitation. As for the redevelopment project at Lo Wu which will provide 1 400 penal places, the construction works of the three penal institutions thereat is on schedule and is anticipated to be completed by early 2010.

Given that most of our penal institutions have been used for a long time, with nine of them aged over 40 years and eight not purpose-built, many of our existing facilities are either outdated or in a dilapidated state. In order to provide high-quality custodial services thereby ensuring a stable environment for rehabilitative programmes, we have also made every endeavour to contemplate cost-effective measures to modernise the outdated facilities.

With the professionalism and concerted effort of the Team members, I feel confident of accomplishing our mission despite various challenges ahead.

YAU Chi-chiu
Assistant Commissioner (Operations)

Male Prisoners

Staff records a prisoner's fingerprint.

In 2008, 9 880 adult males were sentenced to imprisonment and 6 278 remanded in our custody.

Male adult aged 21 and above after being sentenced to imprisonment are first sent to the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre to undergo an assessment by a Classification and Categorisation Board to decide on their security rating for assignment to an appropriate institution. The Board gives due consideration to all factors including the prisoners' background, the nature of their offences, the risk they pose to the community and whether they are first-time offenders.

Prisoners serving long sentences, including life imprisonment, are accommodated in Stanley Prison and Shek Pik Prison. The criminally insane and those in need of psychiatric treatment are detained in Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre. Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre serves as a detention centre for immigration detainees and persons subject to deportation.

Female Prisoners

In 2008, 5 253 adult females were sentenced to imprisonment and 1 953 remanded in our custody. Tai Lam Centre for Women provides accommodation for adult female prisoners and also holds a remand section and a small unit for prisoners serving sentence of 12 years and above. The majority of the prisoners there are deployed to work in laundry, domestic services or gardening. The Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution and the Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution provide accommodation for adult female prisoners of a lower security rating whilst the Chi Sun Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution, also houses adult female prisoners.  The role-swap project of Lai Kai Training Centre and Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution was completed in mid-2008. It optimised the utilisation of accommodation capacities and operational resources as well as addressed the need of providing more vocational training opportunities for inmates. 

Adult prisoners have to work as required by law.

Compared with the record of imprisonment of female adults in 2007, the average daily penal population of 2008 dipped to 2 103 but still exceeded the average capacity.  Nonetheless, the projected shortfall of future penal accommodation places is one of our prime concerns. To satisfy the imminent demand of penal places, a series of projects have been initiated. The redevelopment project of Lo Wu Correctional Institution will be completed in 2010, which will provide two medium security institutions, each with 400 places, and a minimum security one with 600 places upon completion. 

Young Male Prisoners

In 2008, 370 young men under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 642 remanded in our custody. Accommodation is provided for them at the Pik Uk Correctional Institution in Sai Kung.

Young Female Prisoners

In 2008, a total of 314 young women under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 138 were remanded in our custody. Lai King Correctional Institution accommodates young female prisoners and remands. It also serves as a reception centre for young females awaiting pre-sentence assessment.

General Treatment in Prisons

Officers in Stanley Prison observe a three-minute silence to express their condolences to earthquake victims in Sichuan.

On admission, all convicted prisoners attend a Classification and Categorisation Board which determines the type of institution to which they will be assigned, and undergo a thorough medical examination including X-ray. They then participate in a short induction course and receive instruction on routines, rules and regulations, rights, privileges and welfare assistance.

Prisoners may see the Superintendent and other senior officers on request and can also see visiting Justices of Peace if they wish to make a request or complaint. Bilingual notices are prominently displayed in each institution advising prisoners of these rights.

A wide range of industrial activities, including carpentry, metalwork, fibreglass, garment making and government-run laundries are available in penal institutions for prisoners. Young prisoners undergo a comprehensive rehabilitation programme while serving their sentence. This includes vocational training in different trades, educational classes of different levels, counselling, group activities, recreation and physical education. Education for adult prisoners is entirely on a voluntary basis.

Young female offenders arrive at Lai King Correctional Institution from Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution.

The Lai Sun Correctional Institution (LSCI), formerly a prison and drug addiction treatment centre for inmates, was converted into a vocational training centre to provide full-time vocational training for male adult prisoners in mid-July 2006. It is the first time that vocational training is extended to adult prisoners in Hong Kong.

Reckoning that employment is essential to rehabilitation, the Department takes a proactive effort to better equip prisoners with marketable vocational-skill training to enhance their employability upon release. As at December 31, 2008, LSCI's penal population was 142.

Training Centres

The depot on Hei Ling Chau maintains and repairs correctional vehicles on the island.

Training centres provide training for young offenders sentenced under the Training Centres Ordinance. The periods of training range from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years. It depends on the inmate's response to training, motivation to lead a law-abiding life after release and progress in the three different grades from beginner, intermediate to advanced grade. A Board of Review assesses the progress of each inmate at least once a month. Each inmate attends the Board, where information about his/her strengths and weaknesses is given. The Board may consider promotion of grade and release.

All inmates are required to attend half-day education classes and half-day vocational training. They are assigned to classes in accordance with their previous educational attainment and taught by qualified teachers. Classes range from primary to secondary levels. Vocational training is designed to develop good working habits and skills, which will help the inmates obtain employment after release. For those who wish to continue their vocational training after release, the Department helps them seek placements with the Construction Industry Training Authority and the Vocational Training Council.

Recreational and physical activities are held in the evening and on Sundays and public holidays. Outdoor activities such as ball games and athletics are conducted regularly by qualified physical education instructors. Indoor activities include hobby classes, music, Putonghua, art design, drawing, painting, chess and reading.

In 2008, 141 male and six female young offenders were admitted to training centres.

Detention Centre

Custodial wards in a departmental vessel.

Detention centre training is designed to instil into the young male detainees a respect for the law and to help them develop self-respect, an awareness of neglected capabilities in legitimate pursuits and an ability to live with other people in harmony. This programme is administered at Sha Tsui Detention Centre. This minimum-security institution on Lantau Island has two sections for inmates undergoing the detention centre programme: one for young offenders aged between 14 and 20 and the other for young adults aged from 21 to under 25. In 2008, 226 young offenders and 50 young adults were admitted.

Young detainees receive training at the centre for a minimum of one month to a maximum of six months, and young adults for a minimum of three months to a maximum of 12 months. During the year, the average length of detention for young offenders was five months and one day while that for young adults was seven months and 15 days.

A progressive system similar to that operates in training centres is adopted. A Board of Review assesses the progress, attitude, effort and response of each detainee and considers his release at least once a month.

Rehabilitation Centres

The centres provide an additional sentencing option for the courts to deal with young offenders aged between 14 and under 21 who are in need of a short-term residential rehabilitation programme. The programme consists of two phases. The first phase provides two to five months' training inside a correctional facility. It focuses on discipline training with the aim to help young offenders learn to exercise better self-control and develop a regular living pattern through half-day basic work skills training and half-day educational/counselling programmes. During the second phase, young offenders are accommodated in an institution of a half-way house for a period of one to four months. They may go out for work, schooling or engage in other approved activities.

Staff carries out marine escort duty.

The four rehabilitation centres are Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre and Lai Hang Rehabilitation Centre for young male offenders, Chi Lan Rehabilitation Centre and Wai Lan Rehabilitation Centre for young female offenders. Discharged young offenders are subject to one year's statutory supervision by supervising officers.

In 2008, 344 male and 74 female young offenders were admitted to rehabilitation centres.

Drug Addiction Treatment Centres

The Drug Addiction Treatment Centres Ordinance provides the courts with an option of sentencing a drug addict found guilty of an offence punishable by imprisonment to detention in a drug addiction treatment centre. The Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre provides accommodation for young and adult male drug abusers. Whereas young and adult female drug abusers are separately accommodated at the Annex to Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre.

The period of treatment ranges from a minimum of two to a maximum of 12 months. The actual length of treatment depends on an inmate's health and progress and likelihood of being able to remain drug-free after release.

The drug addiction treatment programme aims to detoxify, restore physical health and, through the application of therapeutic and rehabilitative treatment, wean addicts from drug dependence. Inmates are assigned work commensurate with their capabilities, skills and fitness. Those who are medically unfit for a full work programme will receive special occupational therapy instead. The work programme helps inmates to improve their health, develop good working habits and establish self-confidence and a sense of responsibility.

Male inmates are engaged in carpentry, metalwork, laundry services, as well as outdoor work such as gardening, construction and maintenance services. Female inmates are employed in gardening, bookbinding, laundry and various domestic services.

We assist inmates in gaining better insight into their drug problems through individual and group counselling. A specially designed Relapse Prevention Programme is available to prepare inmates psychologically prior to their release. Inmates released from addiction treatment centres are subject to a 12-month supervision to assist them in reintegrating into the community. During the supervision period, a supervisee can be recalled for a further period of detention if any of the supervision conditions are breached.

In 2008, 1 100 adult offenders and 206 young offenders were admitted to drug addiction treatment centres. Among them, 1 080 were males and 236 were females.

Medical and Health Services

The Department provides basic medical and health services for inmates and prisoners. All institutions have either hospitals or sick bays served by Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health, supported by qualified departmental nursing personnel. We have medical officers and senior hospital staff inspect institutions frequently to ensure that a high standard of hygiene and cleanliness is always maintained. The general health of prisoners has been satisfactory throughout the year with no epidemic reported.

Female prisoners may apply for taking care of their young children inside institutions.

Diets for prisoners follow the approved scales prepared by dietitians, which ensure sufficient calories and nutritional value. Adjustments would be made to take care of the special needs of particular prisoners on medical grounds or for religious reasons.

Psychiatrists from the Hospital Authority regularly visit Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre to provide consultations to patients and prepare psychiatric reports on individuals as required.

Dental treatment, including the provision of dentures, simple fillings and extractions, is available to inmates if required.

Ante-natal and post-natal care is also provided. Babies are delivered in public hospitals.

All persons in custody with medical complaints requiring in-patient care are usually hospitalised inside institutions. Cases requiring intensive medical care or surgical operations are transferred to public hospitals. For security reasons, prisoners requiring treatment in a public hospital are located in the custodial wards at either Queen Mary Hospital or Queen Elizabeth Hospital unless their medical conditions require alternative arrangements.

Prisoners participate in recreational activities.

We have made special arrangements to assist handicapped prisoners in adapting to the institutional environment. The medical officer, nursing staff, clinical psychologist, rehabilitation officer and other staff assist these prisoners during their imprisonment in meeting their special needs and preparing them for discharge.

HIV and AIDS did not cause any problem in our institutions. However, the Department has established guidelines for its staff on handling such cases and a programme of education and prevention.

In line with the government's anti-smoking policy, publicity and counselling on the hazards of smoking continue to be emphasised in institutions.

Escort and Support Group

The Escort and Support Group has 353 staff members. It provides services to various penal institutions, including:

1. escorting remands and prisoners
   1. to attend courts;
   2. to police stations for identification parades;
   3. to attend medical appointments;
   4. to attend any place as required under Section 12 of the Prisons Ordinance;
   5. for transfer between penal institutions; and
   6. hospitalised in open wards.
      
      
2. giving tactical support to penal institutions in case of emergencies

The Group is responsible for the management of Cell Holding Units in the Court of Final Appeal, the High Court, the District Court, Kwun Tong Law Courts. Also, staff will be deployed to different Magistracies to take over inmates committed to our custody.

Correctional Services Dog Unit

The Correctional Services Dog Unit has 20 staff members to handle dogs to perform patrol and drug detection duties, raise and train dogs. It has a centralised operational base with support team at Headquarters. There are four regional dog teams separately stationed in different regions, i.e. Island Dog Team, New Territories Dog Team, Hei Ling Dog Team and Lantau Dog Team.

In 2008, 51 Canines, including 23 Guard dogs and 28 Sniffing dogs, were trained to carry out duties. In addition, nine dogs from the Mainland were procured to join the services of the Unit.

Staff from various posts take part in exercises to test the command and communication of the Department during emergency situations.