It is a great honour for me to lead the Operations Division commencing late 2009. I was highly impressed by the team spirit and unswerving commitment of our colleagues in maintaining smooth and effective operation of correctional facilities.

Over 2009, the Operations Division achieved much in custodial management. The relocation of Lai Chi Rehabilitation Centre (LCRC) relieves the overcrowding of male rehabilitation centre and enhances resources utilisation. Sha Tsui Detention Centre has been gazetted as Sha Tsui Correctional Institution to accommodate Detention Centre offenders, Training Centre recallees from Cape Collinson Correctional Institution and young prisoners from Pik Uk Correctional Institution which alleviates overcrowding in these institutions. The Lo Wu Correctional Institution (LWCI), with a capacity of 1 400 penal places, is expected to complete construction in mid 2010. Though the overcrowding problem has been much resolved, there is still a significant shortfall in penal places, especially in reception centres. In 2010, we will continue to strive for operational efficiency and optimise the use of resources.

With a view to providing high-quality custodial services, we endeavour to prioritise our agenda in modernising facilities and exploring alternative development plans. Persons in custody of Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution (LCKCI), Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution (CMWCI) and Chi Sun Correctional Institution (CSCI) will be gradually decanted to LWCI upon its completion. The institutions in Chi Ma Wan will then be redeveloped, pending funding approval from Legislative Council. To alleviate the overcrowding problem of Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre (LCKRC), the plan to redevelop the decanted LCKCI as an annex to LCKRC is in the pipeline.

The Voting by Imprisoned Persons Ordinance was enacted in October 2009, lifting all restrictions of the voting rights for persons in custody. The legislative amendment enhances the rehabilitation of persons in custody as they can participate in voting activities. To facilitate persons in custody to exercise their right to vote in accordance with the law, we have worked with the relevant bureaux and departments for the implementation plans of voter registration, inspection of electoral registers and voting arrangement.

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

Male Persons in Custody

In 2009, 9 520 adult males were sentenced to imprisonment and 6 005 remanded in our custody.

Male adult aged 21 and above after being sentenced to imprisonment are first sent to 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 their background, the nature of offences, the risk they pose to the community and whether they are first-time offenders.

Female Persons in Custody

In 2009, 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 persons in custody. It also holds a remand section and a small unit for persons in custody serving sentence of 12 years and above. The majority of the persons in custody are deployed to work in laundry, domestic services or gardening. Chi Ma Wan Correctional Institution and Lai Chi Kok Correctional Institution provide accommodation for adult female persons in custody of a lower security rating. Chi Sun Correctional Institution, a minimum-security institution, also houses adult female persons in custody. 

Young Male Persons in Custody

In 2009, 388 young men under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 644 remanded in our custody. Accommodation is provided for them at Pik Uk Correctional Institution in Sai Kung.

Young Female Persons in Custody

In 2009, a total of 255 young women under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 133 were remanded in our custody. Lai King Correctional Institution accommodates young female convicted and unconvicted persons in custody. It also serves as a reception centre for young females awaiting pre-sentence assessment.

General Treatment in Prisons

On admission, all convicted persons in custody 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.

Persons in custody may request to see the Superintendent and other senior officers and can see visiting Justices of Peace if they wish to make a request or complaint. Bilingual notices are prominently displayed in each institution informing them of these rights. Information booklets in more than 20 different languages are available to them too.

Training Centres

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 response of the person in custody 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 person in custody at least once a month. Each person in custody attends the Board, where information about his/her strengths and weaknesses is given. The Board may consider promotion of grade and release.

All persons in custody are required to attend half-day education classes and half-day vocational training. They are taught by qualified teachers and assigned to classes in accordance with their previous educational attainment. Classes range from primary to secondary levels. Vocational training is designed to develop good working habits and skills, which will help the persons in custody obtain employment after release.

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.

Detention Centre

Divisional staff member reports to the Day Orderly Officer on the progress of trainees.

Detention centre training is designed to instill into the young male persons in custody a respect for the law and to help them develop self-respect, the awareness of neglected capabilities in legitimate pursuits and the ability to live with other people in harmony. This programme is administered at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution. This minimum-security institution on Lantau Island has two sections for persons in custody 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 2009, 187 young offenders and 33 young adults were admitted.

Young offenders 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 four months and 12 days while that for young adults was eight months and five days.

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 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.

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.

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 the health and progress of the person in custody and his / her 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. Persons in custody 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 persons in custody to improve their health, develop good working habits and establish self-confidence and a sense of responsibility.

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

We assist persons in custody in gaining better insight into their drug problems through individual and group counselling. A specially designed Relapse Prevention Programme is available to prepare persons in custody psychologically prior to their release. Those 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 will be recalled for a further period of detention if any of the supervision conditions are breached.

Medical and Health Services

The Department provides basic medical and health services for persons in custody. All institutions have either hospitals or sick bays served by Medical Officers seconded from the Department of Health, supported by qualified departmental nursing personnel. 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 persons in custody has been satisfactory throughout the year.

Diets for persons in custody 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 persons in custody 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 persons in custody 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, persons in custody 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.

We have made special arrangements to assist handicapped persons in custody in adapting to the institutional environment. Medical Officers, nursing staff, clinical psychologists, rehabilitation officers and other staff assist these persons in custody 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.

Escort and Support Group

The Escort and Support Group has 351 staff members. It provides services to various penal institutions, including:

1. escorting unconvicted and convicted persons in custody
   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

Members of the Escort and Support Group take part in departmental exercise Concord X.

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 namely Island Dog Team, New Territories Dog Team, Hei Ling Dog Team and Lantau Dog Team separately stationed in different regions.