Operations and Institutional Management

Operations Division is committed to striving for excellence and doing our utmost to uphold the rule of law. In 2016, we rose to the challenges and strove for continuous improvement to enhance operational efficiency and attained a number of satisfying achievements in custodial management.

Throughout 2016, all correctional staff continued to make concerted effort to ensure public safety and exert our utmost 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 a secure, safe, humane, decent and healthy custodial environment for persons in custody.

Most of the correctional institutions are non-purpose built and aged facilities operated for decades. Hence, to meet the current requirements of penal operations and management, it is necessary to redevelop outdated facilities. The in-situ partial redevelopment project of Tai Lam Centre for Women was completed in late 2016 to provide 128 additional penal places and improved facilities.

An elderly unit namely “Evergreen Garden” has been established at Tai Lam Correctional Institution since January 2015 in which an integrated correctional programme has been implemented to help elderly persons in custody to reintegrate into society after release as law-abiding citizens.

To echo the government’s initiative in promoting smoke-free culture, the Department had officially designated Tung Tau Correctional Institution and Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution as the “No-smoking Correctional Facilities” in 2013 and 2014 respectively 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 “no-smoking zones” in other institutions including Stanley Prison and Lo Wu Correctional Institution.

To facilitate persons in custody to vote in local elections, respective dedicated polling stations were set up in correctional facilities to allow eligible electors in custody to vote in the 2016 Rural Representative By-election and 2016 Legislative Council Election.

In the past year, with the professionalism and perseverance of our staff, the Operations Division had lived up to ever-rising challenges and endeavoured to further enhance the operational efficiency and professional image of the Department.

[Back to top]

Male Persons in Custody

In 2016, a total of 7 242 adult males were sentenced to imprisonment and 4 524 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 168 young men under the age of 21 sentenced to imprisonment and 275 remanded in our custody.

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

[Back to top]

Female Persons in Custody

In 2016, a total of 3 401 adult females were sentenced to imprisonment and 1 569 remanded in our custody.

Tai Lam Centre for Women is a maximum-security institution functioning as a remand centre and a prison for adult women.

Established in 2010, Lo Wu Correctional Institution is an institution for female adults, with one minimum-security wing and two medium-security wings. They are operated under the Correctional Services Integrated Management which emphasises care for people, environment and the community.

A total of 47 young women under the age of 21 were sentenced to imprisonment and 38 remanded in our custody.

[Back to top]

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, etc.

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. To assist different ethnicities to familiarise themselves with the matters to note and relevant information on prison life as soon as possible, we provide them with an information booklet for persons in custody in 27 languages (i.e. 28 versions including traditional and simplified Chinese versions). Tablet computers with translation function for 56 languages have been used since late 2015 to further facilitate the communication between correctional officers and foreign persons in custody.

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.

[Back to top]

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 2016, 59 male and four female young persons in custody were admitted to the centres.

[Back to top]

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 instil in detainees a respect for the law. A total of 68 young detainees under the age of 21 and 16 young adults aged 21 to under 25 were admitted in 2016, with training periods ranging from one to six months and three to 12 months respectively. Training progress is constantly assessed and monitored.

[Back to top]

Rehabilitation Centres

Rehabilitation Centres provide training for young persons in custody in need of a short-term 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 society. A total of 48 male and 10 female young persons in custody were admitted in 2016.

[Back to top]

Drug Addiction Treatment Centres

Hei Ling Chau Addiction Treatment Centre accommodates adult male drug abusers while Lai Sun Correctional Institution accommodates both adult and young male drug abusers. Nei Kwu Correctional Institution and Lai King Correctional Institution accommodate adult and young female drug abusers respectively.

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 2016, 858 adult persons in custody and 59 young persons in custody were admitted to the drug addiction treatment centres. Among them, 712 were males and 205 were females.

[Back to top]

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 specialist from the Hospital Authority or the Department of Health provide regular consultations to persons in custody.

In June 2016, outreaching gynaecological services were put into operation at Lo Wu Correctional Institution and gynaecology consultations were provided to persons in custody on a regular basis by Medical Officers from Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital under the Hospital Authority. Pregnant persons in custody shall be provided with antenatal checkups and postnatal care, and arranged to give birth 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, the Hospital Authority and accredited academic bodies, e.g. universities to provide trainings for our healthcare staff.

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.

[Back to top]

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.

To respond to emergencies occurring within correctional facilities, to strengthen the security in the vicinity of the institutions, and to carry out such tasks as high-risk escort duties, we set up Regional Response Teams under the Escort and Support Group in September 2016 with a view to providing more effective, prompt and tactical support at regional level. The establishment of Regional Response Teams signals a new chapter in handling emergencies and enhances our belief in the “nip-in-the-bud” strategy.

[Back to top]

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 Chau, Lantau Island and Lo Wu, with a total of 70 dogs. The Training and Support Team of the Unit is responsible for breeding, raising, training and taking care of sick canines.

Hong Kong Correctional Services Annual Review 2016