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Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2014

[ Commissioner’s Foreword]   [ Operations and Institutional Management ]   [ Rehabilitation ]   [ Industries and Vocational Training ]

[ Human Resource Management ]   [ Quality Assurance ]   [ Administration and Planning ]   [ Green Management ]   [ Appendices ]

Operations and Institutional Management

Operations Division is committed to striving for perfection and doing our utmost to uphold the rule of law. In 2014, we strove for continuous improvement to enhance operational efficiency and attained a number of satisfying achievements in custodial management.

Throughout the year, all correctional staff continued to make concerted effort to ensure public safety and pursue service excellence in maintaining security, order and discipline of correctional facilities so as to minimise the chance of escapes and acts of indiscipline and prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs. On the other hand, we also aimed at providing adequate custodial care and basic necessities for persons in custody in a healthy and suitable living environment.

Most of the correctional institutions are non-purpose built and aged facilities operated for decades. It is therefore necessary to redevelop outdated facilities in order to meet the current requirements of penal management. In 2014, the conversion works in Tai Lam Correctional Institution have been completed for the accommodation of suitable elderly persons in custody. The ongoing partial redevelopment project of Tai Lam Centre for Women will be completed in 2016 to provide 108 additional penal places and improved facilities.

Continuous effort was made to strive for operational efficiency and improvement of the living environment of persons in custody, targeting to modernise out-fashioned facilities and optimise the use of resources. Apart from redevelopment or refurbishment projects, no-smoking zones were established in certain correctional facilities to promote smoke-free culture. In addition to assigning Tung Tau Correctional Institution as the first "No Smoking Correctional Facility" on January 1, 2013, the Department officially designated Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution as the second "No Smoking Correctional Facility" in late 2014 to accommodate adult male persons in custody who have decided not to smoke. To promote a no-smoking culture, the Department has also set up "smoke-free prison zone" in other institutions including Stanley Prison, Lo Wu Correctional Institution and Tai Lam Centre for Women to accommodate non-smoking persons in custody or those who are determined to quit smoking.

In October 2009, amendments to subsidiary legislation under the Electoral Affairs Commission Ordinance sets out a clear legal framework for persons in custody to vote in all local elections. In 2014 District Council By-elections and 2014 Village Representative By-elections, respective dedicated polling stations were set up in correctional facilities to allow eligible electors in custody to vote.

To promote environmental protection, the Department first launched the "Waste No Food" scheme in Lo Wu Correctional Institution in early 2013 to encourage persons in custody to reduce leftovers. In view of the favourable response, the scheme was extended to Ma Hang Prison, Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and Tai Lam Centre for Women in 2014. Upon enrolment, persons in custody are issued with a reduced portion of their staple food, including rice, chapatti or potatoes, to reduce leftovers in meals. The food waste decomposing system in Lo Wu Correctional Institution can recycle a daily capacity of 100 kilograms of leftovers into organic fertiliser forgreening and charity purposes.

We are committed to continually improving our quality of service, taking steadfast actions to maintain security, good order and discipline in correctional facilities, and providing a secure, safe, humane, decent, and healthy environment to assist persons in custody to reintegrate into society. With the professionalism and perseverance of our staff, the Operations Division will live up to ever-rising challenges and endeavour to further enhance the operational efficiency and professional image of the Department.

Male Persons in Custody

In 2014, a total of 6 780 adult males were sentenced to imprisonment and 5 793 remanded in our custody.

Adult persons in custody on long term sentences, including life imprisonment, are accommodated in Stanley Prison and Shek Pik Prison.

There were 231 young men under the age of 21 sentenced to imprisonment and 794 remanded in our custody.

Pik Uk Correctional Institution and Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution accommodate young males persons in custody. Those who are on remand or sentenced to long term imprisonment, including life imprisonment, are accommodated in Pik Uk Correctional Institution.

Female Persons in Custody

In 2014, a total of 2 901 adult females were sentenced to imprisonment and 1 636 remanded in our custody.

Tai Lam Centre for Women accommodates adult female with a remand section and a designated unit for persons in custody of high security risk. Lo Wu Correctional Institution is the newest facility for adult females and is operated under the Correctional Services Integrated Management which emphasises care for people, environment and the community.

A total of 63 young women under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 128 remanded in our custody.

To alleviate the long-standing over-admission problem in the adult female reception facility, in-situ partial redevelopment of Tai Lam Centre for Women has started and will be completed by 2016 to increase the accommodation capacity from 263 to 371.

General Treatment in Prisons

After assessment by the Classification and Categorisation Board, persons in custody shall undergo thorough medical examination and a short induction course to receive instruction on rules and regulations, rights, privileges and welfare assistance.

Those who feel aggrieved may lodge complaint to the Department's Complaints Investigation Unit, or to visiting Justices of the Peace and other external bodies through various complaint handling channels. The information is publicised clearly in bilingual notices displayed in prominent places in all correctional facilities.

Adults have to work six days a week as required by law. It aims to engage them in meaningful work and enables them to build up good working habit and to acquire vocational and employability skills. Young persons in custody have to participate in a programme based on half day education and half day vocational training. Correctional facilities provide various rehabilitative programmes for the well-being of persons in custody, which include vocational training in a wide range of trades, recreational activities and physical exercises.

Training Centres

The Training Centres Ordinance stipulates six months to three years of training for young persons in custody. Training is fully individualised and monitored to guarantee the best results possible. Release is based on individual performance.

Qualified teachers with relevant experience will conduct comprehensive education and vocational training classes for young persons in custody in order to equip them with necessary skills and knowledge.

Recreational activities such as ball games and athletics are conducted regularly by qualified instructors. Extra curricular programmes such as scouting activities and community services are arranged. Other activities include hobby classes, music instrument classes, arts activities, chess playing and reading.

In 2014, 77 male and 13 female young persons in custody were admitted to the centres.

Detention Centre

Sha Tsui Correctional Institution accommodates young male detainees and offers them a training programme under a strict regime. It emphasises strict discipline, hard work, physical training and foot-drill in order to instill in detainees a respect for the law. A total of 100 young detainees under the age of 21 and 17 young adults aged 21 to under 25 were admitted in 2014, with training periods ranging from one to six months and three to 12 months respectively. Training progress is constantly assessed and monitored.

Rehabilitation Centres

Rehabilitation Centres provide training for young persons in custody in need of a short-term residential rehabilitation programme. The programme consists of two phases with a total period of detention ranging from three to nine months. In the initial detention period, all young persons in custody will undergo education and vocational training for enhancing knowledge and necessary skills. For the subsequent residence period, all young persons in custody, after studying, working or engaging in approved activities, will reside in the Rehabilitation Centre to receive continuous assessment by staff on their needs and progress. The benefits of training in correctional facilities and adaptability in half-way house setting help young persons in custody lead a new life and reintegrate into the society. A total of 61 male and 17 female young persons in custody were admitted in 2014.

Drug Addiction Treatment Centres

Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre and Lai Sun Correctional Institution accommodate adult male drug abusers and young male drug abusers respectively while female drug abusers are accommodated at Nei Kwu Correctional Institution.

Treatment lasts from two to 12 months through work and therapy to rid individuals of drug dependence, correct criminal behaviour and restore confidence and health, both physical and psychological.

To reinforce persons in custody's determination to quit drugs, we provide a systematic and therapeutic programme, including work therapy as well as individual and group counselling, to enhance their understanding about drug addiction problems and prepare them for a pro-social and drug-free life.

In 2014, 943 adult persons in custody and 98 young persons in custody were admitted to the drug addiction treatment centres. Among them, 811 were males and 230 were females.

Health Care for Persons in Custody

All correctional facilities have on-premises hospitals staffed by qualified personnel. In collaboration with the Department of Health, round-the-clock basic health care services are provided in all correctional facilities.

Persons in custody at the Siu Lam Psychiatric Centre are attended to by visiting psychiatrists from the Hospital Authority.

Besides, visiting medical specialists, such as dentist, surgeon, and orthopedic pecialist from Hospital Authority or Department of Health provide regular consultations to persons in custody. Ante-natal and post-natal cares are also provided to female persons in custody whose babies are delivered in public hospitals.

In general, cases requiring in-patient care at public hospitals are admitted to our custodial wards either in Queen Mary Hospital or Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

To ensure quality health care and the enhancement of professional knowledge and skill, we constantly collaborate with the Department of Health, Hospital Authority and Universities to provide trainings for our healthcare staff. For instance, arrangements are made for them to participate in Certificate Course in Mental Health for Correctional Health Professions, Certificate in Infection Control Course, Simulation Training for Medical Emergency and Training on infectious control, Basic Life Support Provider Course, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Course, etc.

Smoking Cessation Counselling Programme with the provision of Nicotine Replacement Therapy are organised for adult persons in custody to relieve symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and to help them quit smoking.

Escort and Support Group

The Group escorts persons in custody for court attendance, medical treatment, identification parade or inter-institutional transfer and provides correctional facilities with tactical support during emergencies.

The Group is also responsible for Cell Holding Units in the Court of Final Appeal, High Court and District Court, Kwun Tong Transit Centre as well as the custodial wards in Queen Mary Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Correctional Services Dog Unit

Canines are trained and arranged to carry out patrol and drug detection duties for supporting the surveillance of correctional facilities. There are five regional dog teams located on Hong Kong Island, and in the New Territories, Hei Ling, Lantau and Lo Wu, with a total of 61 dogs. The Training & Support Team of the Unit is responsible for breeding programme, raising, training and taking care of sick canines.

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